Parco degli Iblei come opportunità, sentenza del Tar mette fine alle polemiche

The long discussion phase regarding the Iblei National Park is now concluded and cannot be reopened with further postponements. This is the position expressed by Fabio Morreale, president of Natura Sicula, who intervened in the debate on the imminent establishment of the protected area, reiterating the need to proceed without further delay: "We remind opponents," Morreale states, "that the observation phase is definitively concluded. It lasted a full 18 years: an exaggerated period, indeed, during which everyone had the necessary time to submit observations, convene technical discussions, gather documentation, and discuss matters." According to the president of Natura Sicula, the constant postponements have thus far prevented the full implementation of the national legislation that established the Park, Law No. 222 of November 29, 2007. This situation, in his opinion, has been resolved by the recent ruling of the Regional Administrative Court of Catania. "On June 9, 2026," the environmentalist emphasizes, "the Catania Regional Administrative Court (TAR) declared the game over: the park must be established without further delay. The judges deemed the Sicilian Region's silence and inertia unlawful, imposing the completion of the process within 180 days and providing, in the event of further non-compliance, the appointment of a commissioner ad acta." For the association's leaders, therefore, there would be no longer any room for reopening discussions already discussed over the years. Morreale also dismisses the concerns raised by some groups and those opposed to the project, calling them unfounded given the prospects offered by the protected area: "It's pointless to continue to cast doubt on the sustainable development opportunities the Park will provide," he argues. "The fears fueled by detractors have no basis in fact. Agriculture will continue to be practiced regularly, and livestock farming will be able to continue its activities, including the use of non-native breeds, simply by forgoing any specific contributions intended for those who choose to support the conservation of local biodiversity." According to Morreale, experience gained in other Sicilian areas demonstrates that the creation of a park does not represent an obstacle to economic development, but can actually enhance its value: "History shows that no territory has ever been damaged by the establishment of a park. On the contrary, municipalities initially excluded often recognize its economic and image value and subsequently ask to be included." To support his argument, the president of Natura Sicula cites the cases of the Nebrodi Park, with the subsequent inclusion of the municipalities of Raccuja, Troina, and Acquedolci, and the Madonie Park, which later included Gangi, Alimena, Blufi, Bompietro, and Lascari. In these contexts, the park is not viewed as an entity solely designed to impose restrictions, but as a tool capable of generating new opportunities: a quality label for excellent agri-food products, an incentive for sustainable tourism, and a safeguard for landscape protection. The association's president then returns to the recent meetings promoted by the Free Municipal Consortiums of Ragusa and Syracuse, deeming them obsolete in light of the administrative judge's decision: "The Catania Regional Administrative Court has ruled that the time for technical discussions is over," he states. "The meetings convened in recent days represent belated initiatives and have no practical impact." Morreale then reconstructs the process that led to the current proposal: "Over nearly two decades, the perimeter has been modified, verified, updated, and discussed in every aspect. All stakeholders have had the opportunity to contribute. Politicians from all sides—right, left, and center—have examined the project and requested changes." After the TAR ruling, according to Natura Sicula, the discussion phase is definitively over: "The space for discussion is closed. The Iblei Park must be established now. This is the time for the implementation and application of state law." The environmentalist views any further attempts to slow down as "illegal forcing and political manipulation," aimed, in his opinion, at protecting particular interests or entrenched positions. "The Iblei Park issue," he concludes, "is not a problem, but a tool for preserving an irreproducible beauty, growing the economy without destroying the territory, and helping mountain communities combat depopulation."