In Cortona, a new ordinance protects the nests of swallows, martins and swifts. There are fines for those who remove, damage or destroy them.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himThe municipality of Cortona has issued a new ordinance for protect the nests of swallows, martins and swifts. There are fines for those who remove, damage or destroy them.
Migratory birds such as swallows move for thousands of kilometers and then return to the place where they started and have previously nested and laid their eggs. But sometimes they are faced with the nasty surprise of never find their "home" again.
The nests of the swallows, but also of the gods house martins and of the swift, are often destroyed or removed as they "dirty", are unsightly or annoy those who have to renovate houses and buildings. The problem is that this practice can cause serious damage to migratory birds, even putting their survival at risk. And, considering, what we're talking about protected species as endangered, it is a very serious fact.
This is why they must be protected in every way, especially during the breeding season. The municipality of Cortona has thought of them with a specific ordinance that prohibits causing damage to these animals by destroying or removing their nests.
The provision establishes the prohibition of intentionally causing any type of damage to the nests and to disturb wildlife during the breeding season.
An exception is allowed to the prohibition outside the nesting period (between 15 September and 15 February) in the case of renovations or restorations to buildings that cannot be carried out without removing the nests (this however must be demonstrated upon presentation of a technical report and obtaining a specific authorization of the environmental protection service). It is also asked in these cases to create artificial nests in order to compensate for those removed.
Anyone who transgresses these rules will run into one fine between 80 and 500 euros and he will also be forced to restore the nests, obviously replacing them with artificial ones.
The mayor Luciano Meoni expressed himself on the importance of this provision:
“Swallows are important for killing bothersome insects, such as flies and mosquitoes. This ordinance stems from the desire to protect the species and to recognize its importance, and meets the objective that has always been pursued by environmental associations and various protection projects in the continental context "
In fact the swallows, their nests and eggs are already protected by law n. 157/92 and article 635 of the penal code, which prohibits its killing and destruction. Still, it appears that additional local ordinances are needed to prevent these animals from actually harming themselves.
We remind you that if you see someone disturbing these birds or damaging the nests, you can report the fact to environmental emergency number 1515.
Read also:
- Swallow's nests are still destroyed because they get dirty, it's a crime!
- The swallows return from migration but find their nests blocked by nets
- Massacre of swallows, exhausted by the cold take refuge en masse in the houses. How to help them.
- The swallows are disappearing. What can we do?
