This Friday, the Parliamentary Group of the PAN – People-Animals-Nature introduced a draft resolution that urges the Government to update the salaries of Nature Watchers and to increase its number of staff.
The PAN draws attention to the fact that “in Portugal, the number of Watchers of Nature is only in the order of two hundred, a number clearly insufficient for the vast set of responsibilities and functions they play in protecting natural values”.
Marking World Environment Day, which is celebrated today, the PAN also draws attention to “the chronic inadequacy and lack of means for these professionals to carry out their activity”.
Here is the text, in full, of the PAN draft resolution:
"Draft Resolution No. ___/XIV/2nd
Recommends that the Government proceed with the valorization of the nature guards and the reinforcement of the number of permanent personnel
Explanatory Memorandum:
The protection of the environment and the promotion of biodiversity in Portugal requires investment, but also effective inspection instruments that guarantee compliance with the legislation in force and the safeguarding of our vast and valuable natural heritage.
In this regard, the role played by the national body of Nature Watchers, created in 1975 as a Specialized Body in the Preservation of the Environment and Nature Conservation, is of fundamental importance, which goes far beyond the surveillance and inspection of activities such as livestock, hunting, fishing or nature sports.
Indeed, the functions of nature watchers include, in particular, monitoring the quality of air and water, participation and collaboration, with their knowledge, in scientific studies, ensuring and verifying the conservation status of habitats. natural.
They also collaborate in the work of promoting forest health, in the collection of wounded wild animals and their transport to recovery centers, in the detection and first intervention in forest fires.
They are also in charge of supervising illegal and licensed waste management operators, supervising protected areas, national forests, native forests and Natura 2000 Network Sites, in addition to ensuring the conservation status of pedestrian paths in protected areas, to ensure the link between State entities and local populations.
Unfortunately, and despite its importance, the career and role of nature watchers have been undervalued in recent years, with several complaints made by representatives of the sector, namely due to low salaries, especially given the demands of the profession and the lack of material, technical and human resources for a decent performance of the competences assigned to them.
Decree-Law No. 470/99, of November 6, recognized the need to set up a unified body of surveillance in the area of nature conservation, which contributes to a better efficiency in the detection of environmental crimes, integrating the careers of nature guard and nature guard in a unified manner in the staff of the Ministry of the Environment, seeking to respond to a growing appreciation of our environmental heritage, establishing that nature guards "ensure, in their respective areas of activity, the functions of surveillance, inspection and monitoring relating to the environment and natural resources, namely in the field of water, natural heritage and nature conservation”.
However, and after more than 20 years, it is necessary to update the legislation, adapting it to the current reality.
The reduced number of active nature guards, their low value and visibility in the context of environmental policies are the main complaints of representatives of the sector. The work developed by these professionals is little publicized by the ministry, which is not unrelated to the shortage of staff in our country.
Just see that in the entire area of the Spanish territory there are more than 7.000 nature guards who earn a salary of around €2.000, which means that in Portugal, compared to the size of the territory, this number is equivalent to 1.275 nature guards , a figure far removed from the 200 permanent staff currently operating across the country.
Another of the concerns of representatives of this sector is the lack of equipment and decent safety conditions for the exercise of this profession, since, for example, the clothing used by nature watchers wears out easily and is not replaced, being inappropriate for the functions they perform on a daily basis.
It is also notorious the lack of vehicles and boats to carry out the functions of these professionals.
In the case of nature guards assigned to the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), there is only investment in forest fire surveillance and prevention vehicles, with the other functions performed by these professionals being forgotten.
In the case of vessels, there are places in the country where, despite the watchmen being responsible for supervising and monitoring the aquatic environment, they do not have vessels to do so, compromising their effectiveness and preventing them from carrying out their duties.
Thus, the Assembly of the Republic, pursuant to paragraph 5 of article 166 of the Constitution, through this Draft Resolution, recommends to the Government that:
1) Proceed with the enhancement and reinforcement of the means of nature guards, namely:
a) Update the remuneration indexes for the career of nature watcher and open competitions for career advancement in all entities in which they exercise functions, initiating dialogue and negotiations with organizations representing the sector;
b) Pay for the work performed by nature guards on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, in accordance with the general law;
c) Grant a remuneration supplement, as permanent availability, as provided for in the General Labor Law in Public Functions;
d) Opening a tender for the incorporation of new nature guards in the ICNF, Coordination and Regional Development Committees, Portuguese Agency for the Environment and Administration of Hydrographic Regions, in the structure of the latter body;
e) Invest in the promotion of the image of nature guards, acquiring new uniforms for staff in service, appropriate to the functions performed;
f) Carrying out a marketing campaign that includes the creation of a new image and an attractive website and that promotes the dissemination of the service provided by nature watchers and better communication and interaction with the population;
g) Acquire vehicles and vessels in sufficient and adequate numbers to fill the needs of professionals in the sector;
h) Creation of a supplement for the hardship and unhealthy conditions of travel or overnight stays in the islands of Berlengas and islets existing in the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira;
Assembly of the Republic, São Bento Palace, June 04, 2021
The Deputies and the Deputy,
André Silva
baby wedge
Ines de Sousa Real»
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