The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment  announced today the reinforcement of safety of visitors of Pico Mountain by installing a video surveillance system and providing individual monitoring equipment to all visitors, with the acquisition of another 150 GPS units.
 
Luís Neto Viveiros spoke at the signing of a protocol with the Madalena Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters for the provision of the coordination, control and monitoring services of the access to the Natural Reserve of Pico Mountain. The government official pointed out that this 120 thousand-Euro investment will "monitor more people and, simultaneously, ensure their safety."
 
The government official also revealed that he authorised today the opening of the tender for the construction of a support area for descents and a new parking area.
 
This contract work represents a public investment of nearly half a million Euros and will allow private entities to further develop their activity, thus responding to increased tourist demand by providing better comfort conditions to visitors.
 
In 2015, the "Casa da Montanha" (Mountain House) was visited by a record number of 25,000 people, of whom 10,500 climbed the mountain.
 
During the ceremony, the government official presented the new rules on the operation and visits to this Natural Reserve, which were published today in the Official Journal through a joint Ordinance of the Regional Secretariats for Agriculture and the Environment and Tourism and Transport.
 
With the new regulation, the "Casa da Montanha," a mandatory stop whose main purpose is to register and control climbs, will be open throughout the year; its operating hours will be extended during the summer period, when it will be open 24/7.
 
Located about 1,200 metres above sea level, the "Casa da Montanha" provides information on the geology, biology, history and climate of the area, either on information panels or on video format; the latter can be viewed at the auditorium.
 
Furthermore, the government official highlighted the creation of new trail that features a visit to the Furna Abrigo (cave).  It provides visitors who do not wish or are unable to climb to the top of the mountain with the possibility to enjoy an experience on the mountain.
 
The new regulation also provides for an increase in the monitoring of visits to Piquinho, promoting the access to this area of the Mountain through certified guides. Currently, there is a second training course ongoing, an initiative of the Regional Directorate for the Environment.