Vinhais seeks UNESCO status for 10,000 ancient chestnut groves

The municipality of Vinhais, in northern Portugal, plans to nominate around 10,000 hectares of centuries-old chestnut groves for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status, aiming to boost the value of the local longal chestnut and encourage new planting. The bid will be prepared with Montesinho Natural Park and submitted early next year. Vinhais will also build an interpretive centre and a nursery to identify the best local chestnut variety for future planting. Chestnut production already generates €15-20 million annually in the area, with groves expanding from 7,000 to 10,000 hectares over the past three or four years despite wildfire and climate pressures.