Quercus contests the proposal to expand the Tortosendo Industrial Park in Covilhã, which could involve the felling of approximately 14,000 cork oaks, dozens of which are centuries old. The environmental organization considers that the existence of this grove should require a review of the land classification planned for the area, which also includes two watercourses, three ponds, and several springs. The proposal is included in the revision of Covilhã's Municipal Master Plan, under public discussion until September 4.
The expansion would also involve the expropriation of ten primary residences. Quercus questions the need to expand the park, stating that the alleged lack of space is not sufficiently justified, given that there are already urbanized industrial plots that remain unused. According to the association, the real reason is related to the prices set by current plot owners, which no one is interested in buying.
Quercus also criticizes the fact that the cork oak grove is not identified on the municipality's Constraints Map, despite the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) having formally notified the City Council about the existence of the trees. The cork oak is protected by Decree-Law No. 169/2001, which conditions its cutting and may require authorization from the competent authorities.
The organization appeals to ICNF and CCDR-Centro not to authorize the destruction of the grove without proof that no viable alternatives exist, and asks citizens to participate in the public discussion of the PDM revision.
