In recent days, the Province of Belluno has carried out annual monitoring of grouse and in particular of the black grouse, a species of conservation interest and subject to particular protection. On this occasion, an inspection was also carried out on the intervention put in place by the Alpine Reserve of Tambre aimed at improving the environment. “At a cost of about 15 thousand euros, to be paid by the members of the Reserve, some open areas that had been invaded by the mountain pine grown because of the abandonment of the mountain pastures were restored – explains the provincial councilor in charge of wildlife management -. We were able to verify that in one year, thanks to this intervention, which began in 2020, those shrub species useful for feeding grouse, such as the blueberry, have regrown. This ensures that there are ideal conditions for the conservation and development of the black grouse populations ».
The forest improvement works are part of the “Mugheta” project, launched in 2020 and destined to continue until 2022. “A plan born a few years ago, with the aim of intervening in the bush areas – explains Stefano Saviane, president of the Alpine Reserve of hunting of Tambre -. The black grouse, precisely because of the afforestation due to the abandonment of the pasture, is moving to higher and higher altitudes where it cannot find food. This is why we are witnessing the reduction of the population ». «On the slopes of Mount Guslon we have recreated checkerboard spaces to guarantee ideal conditions for different species: rock partridge, black grouse and even black grouse» adds Egidio Bino, the forestry doctor who followed the “Mugheta” project. “Where we intervened in 2020, plants that are essential for the habitat of these animals are already growing back.”
“The hunters are moving in the direction dictated by the community regulations for the conservation of Natura 2000 sites and the recovery of those areas abandoned by grazing where the bush which is harmful for the maintenance of some animal species grows” continues the provincial delegated councilor. «The habitats of species, and therefore their restoration or maintenance, are fundamental in the determination of an animal population, much more than a possible stop of the faunal practice. Then a praise to the Tambre Reserve which has carried out an important work, an example for other realities as well. Throughout our mountain we are witnessing the progressive afforestation due to the abandonment of the practice of mowing. Therefore, these environmental recovery activities are fundamental for the biocenosis and zoocenosis. With the hope that these works will continue even in larger areas, we will have to check the effectiveness of the operation over time with continuous monitoring “.
