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The
importance of the Laurissilva WHS status.
According
to several authorities the classification of the "Laurissilva"
as a World Heritage Site is of great importance to
Madeira and Portugal. Bazenga Marques, the
Regional Secretary for Agriculture,  Forestry
and Fisheries, affirmed that once the Laurissilva
acquires World Heritage Site status financial aid
in the form of nature conservation funds would be
made available more easily to the local authorities
to further promote, protect and preserve the treasured
forest. The government representative went on further
to mention that this programme will help incentivise
more the local population to the importance of
furthering nature conservation.
Who
controls or administers the area of the Laurissilva?
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The
Laurissilva forest covers large areas of the island
of Madeira.
Source: "Conheça
o Parque Natural da Madeira" |
The Laurissilva
is an area controlled by the government authority
known as the "Parque
Natural da Madeira" or "Madeira
Nature Park". It is competently administered
by Henrique Costa Neves (also the co-author
of the book "Conheça o Parque Natural
da Madeira"- translated as "Getting
to Know the Madeira Nature Park").
The
Laurissilva qualification as a World Heritage
Site
According to the
director of the Parque Natural da Madeira the
Laurissilva qualifies for two of any single
four criteria needed to elevate the nature reserve
to World Heritage Status.
Henrique Costa Neves elaborated on the two criteria
that qualifies the Laurissilva:
First, as a nature
site whose importance is that it exemplifies
the ecological and biological processes underway
in the development of a unique ecosystem and community
of fauna and flora
Secondly, being
a nature reserve conserving fauna and flora that
are subject to extinction in its own natural
environment and whose preservation helps maintain
the ideal goal of maximum global or universal biodiversity,
not only for future conservation and protection,
but also for scientific research
 Dreamy
Winding Paths on an Enchanting Island Article:
A closer look at the origins and position of the Levadas
today. [more
info]
 More
Watery Thoughts - Article: How much
water is there in the Levadas? How far do the waterways
stretch? What else do we need to know about Levada
Walking? [more
info]
 Turivema
- A dedicated walking host for your holiday
- Visit this STUNNING website for a
magical "carpet- ride view" of Levada walking
on Madeira.
This site has hundreds of photographs of the Levadas
sent to them by their guests! [more
info]
[More
Info
 Jon
Digranes Photo Collection
- Jon has visited Madeira multiple times. His awesome
collection of photographs captures essentially the
beauty and spirit of Levada walking. [More
Info]
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