The article addresses problems with the payment system for fees to access the Pico Ruivo trail in Madeira. A Madeiran tour guide writes that they paid 10.5 euros for the fee but found trash left by other visitors at the site. The author compares the situation to what happens on the streets of Funchal, where people paid by taxes clean up the trash of those who drop it on the ground.
The author criticizes the management of IFCN (Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation), stating that from the beginning the system has been "one mess after another." They point out that the trail recovery works are still underway and far from being completed, contradicting what was reported. The 30-minute slot system is also criticized, as in practice it is not verified and allows tourists to purchase schedules incompatible with hikes that can last 5 or more hours.
The article reveals that IFCN paid 75 thousand euros to the company Montanhas Assertivas for collection and cleaning, and hundreds of thousands of euros to the private security company Charon. The author questions who owns the cleaning company and criticizes the lack of transparency, noting that the maximum number of visitors per day or the total amount collected has never been disclosed.
The author concludes by criticizing the incompetence of IFCN's president, who according to them should use the revenue to increase the salary of nature wardens and make the career more attractive, as no new wardens have been hired for at least 4 years.
