The Regional Secretary for the Environment and the Sea stated today at the Ribeira Grande City Hall that Caldeira Velha, located near the Lagoa do Fogo Road, is one of the most interesting places of São Miguel Island Natural Park.

However, Álamo Meneses admitted that the area protected and classified as a Natural Monument has been vandalised and deteriorated due to inappropriate waste disposal.

To prevent future similar situations, the Government has signed a protocol with the Ribeira Grande City Hall, transferring to this authority the management of that space, including its cleaning, maintenance and conservation, security and supervision and the promotion of environmental education.

The document also provides a contract work for the construction of the Caldeira Velha Interpretation Centre, an investment fully funded by the Regional Government, as well as the dissemination of its natural heritage and tourism promotion.

According to Álamo Meneses, this new infrastructure, to be built shortly, will enhance the quality of Caldeira Velha and simultaneously ensure closer support to its management.

The protocol authorising the transfer of the conservation and maintenance of Caldeira Velha Natural Monument to the municipal company "Ribeira Grande Mais" also aims to enhance the safety of visitors and the conservation of the natural environment.

The Secretary for the Environment and the Sea also clarified that the shared management of some areas in the natural parks across the archipelago does mean that the Government is evading from responsibility, but it is a way joining of forced with other entities that may better serve its users and improve nature conservation.

Álamo Meneses stressed that the Caldeira Velha Interpretation Centre, being a permanent infrastructure, will assure the continuous monitoring and management of that area, which can be carried out more efficiently by the Ribeira Grande City Hall.
 
The future of the Caldeira Velha Interpretation Centre aims to promote environmental education as well as the awareness for natural heritage.

Known for its thermal baths for centuries and embellished by magnificent geological formations, the Caldeira Velha, whose access will no longer be free, is a biosphere reserve of great importance to the botany and fauna of Laurissilva forests, given the diversity species and abundance of tree ferns that inhabit this Natural Monument and the existence of a microclimate that has stimulated the growth natural of vegetation and exotic species as well.
 
This relaxing place is surrounded by thermal hot springs that fall in cascades of brownish water due to the abundance of iron in its chemical composition.