Antonello Talerico (regional councilor) and Luigi Aloisio (Resp. Dip. Prov. Forza Italia Environment and renewable sources) appeal to a large alliance between the region and municipalities against the abandonment of waste in the Calabrian water courses.
“The beauty of Calabria is not an illusion: it is a profound truth, evident in the eyes of anyone who travels its landscapes, admire its coast, rediscovers its history. But this beauty is fragile. And today more than ever we have a duty, as a ruling class, to defend it firmly.
Among the most serious and neglected environmental plagues there is that of the indiscriminate abandonment of waste along rivers, streams and green areas. A phenomenon that for years has been transforming waterways into illegal landfills, with an incalculable environmental damage that falls directly on the health of citizens, on the agricultural economy and the image of our territory.
It is not just a matter of decorum or correct disposal: it is a public health problem. The waste slowly degrades, they release polluting substances in the waters that reach the sea and in the aquifers, fueling a cycle of degradation that must be interrupted immediately and decisively.
The problem, it is clear, is not only Calabrian: it concerns all of Italy, even natural reserves and protected oasis. But precisely because we know him well, we have a duty to face him as protagonists.
A three -point strategy: prevention, remediation, control
The first step is prevention. A great cultural investment is needed, especially in schools, to spread environmental consciousness among the youngest. But prevention is also operational: it means enhancing the door -to -door collection, guarantee efficient services, encourage civic sense through concrete tools.
The second point is the reclamation, but it cannot weigh entirely on the municipalities. Too often the mayors are left alone, without resources, to manage the enormous economic weight of the cleaning operations. It is here that the Region must intervene strongly, providing tools, funds and staff, because the protection of the territory is a shared responsibility.
It is also necessary to organically strengthen bodies such as Arpacal for greater water protection.
The third aspect concerns the controls. Also in this case, regulatory obstacles must be overcome that today make it difficult, if not paradoxical, the fight against the abandonment of waste. An example is the restrictive application of the privacy legislation, which prevents the Municipalities from using phototrappole without prior reporting.
The Court of Cassation has sanctioned that, without information signs, the phototrappole violates privacy. But it is clear that warning the offenders first is equivalent to binding their hands to those who want to enforce the law.
The public interest in the protection of the environment and health must prevail over individual interest in confidentiality, when it comes to environmental crimes.
A clear proposal: to equip the mayors of tools and freedom of action.
The mayors are the institution closest to citizens. They know the territory, the real problems of the communities live. And for this reason they must be put in a position to act, with adequate economic resources, clear rules and effective tools. The Calabria Region, in synergy with the national legislator, must take charge of simplifying the legislation and supporting the Municipalities both in prevention and remediation and in repression.
Let’s build a cleaner, more right, healthier Calabria together
A real institutional alliance is needed: municipalities, region, law enforcement agencies, citizens, schools. Only if we work together can we counteract a phenomenon that defaces beauty and threatens health.
The defense of the environment cannot be an intermittent duty: it is a permanent priority.
It is the time of decisions, not of the apologies. We give our territories the dignity and care they deserve. We give Calabria the clean and proud face that it can and must have. In the coming months we will work both in the regional council and to coordination among the many municipal administrations that will want to make a contribution of ideas and proposals.