A symbolic motion adopted yesterday by the Board of Directors reaffirms the commitment to the independence of the Mercantour National Park. Alexandra Borchio Fontimp, senator for the Alpes-Maritimes, warns the government about the risks of a potential merger of national parks with the French Office for Biodiversity.
Yesterday, the Board of Directors of the Mercantour National Park adopted a symbolic motion. It aims to emphasize the importance of maintaining the park’s independence in the preparation of the 2026 finance bill.
This stance echoes a parliamentary initiative. Alexandra Borchio Fontimp, senator for the Alpes-Maritimes, sent a written question to the Minister of the Economy and Finance. She expresses her opposition to a potential merger between the public bodies of national parks and the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB).
According to the senator, this perspective is currently being considered as part of a broader reorganization of biodiversity operators. She considers this option unsuitable. For her, the two entities do not have the same missions, governance, or territorial base.
Created in 1979, the Mercantour National Park covers 679 km² in its core zone and 1,212 km² in its adhesion area. It includes 24 partner municipalities. Its board of directors consists of 45 members, including local elected officials, state representatives, scientists, and local stakeholders.
This operational mode is based on the Giran law of 2006. Alexandra Borchio Fontimp emphasizes the balance it provides. “This hybrid management model ensures strong involvement of local governments, both in governance and project financing,” she notes.
She fears that centralization could disrupt this balance. She mentions the risks of decision-making centers being distant, weakening field policies, and a possible financial disengagement of local governments.
An Effective and Recognized Model
The OFB, a national public establishment, employs nearly 3,000 agents. It operates throughout the territory, mainly focusing on environmental policing and implementing national public policies.
For the senator, it’s not about questioning the OFB’s mission, but rather reminding everyone about the specific characteristics of national parks. She describes them as protected areas with multiple functions: preservation, cross-border cooperation, sustainable development, and environmental awareness.
She also highlights that the independence of the parks was confirmed by a report from the General Inspectorate of the Environment and Sustainable Development, published in February 2025. This document dismissed the idea of integrating them into a single operator, in the name of local governance and territorial efficiency.
“While I support eliminating agencies that are as useless as they are a source of complication, national parks must not be absorbed into a centralizing logic. Their autonomy is a treasure for our territories and biodiversity,” concludes Alexandra Borchio Fontimp.
Local, political, and institutional mobilization could influence upcoming decisions. The government is expected to present its finance bill in the coming months. The fate of the national parks, including Mercantour, could be determined then.
