The Mercantour National Park has unveiled its 2024 actions. They revisited ecotourism, agropastoralism, and also the events the park will cover, such as the Tour de France.
The park was keen to emphasize the importance of preserving biodiversity. This biodiversity is abundant in the park, which is home to, for example, 48% of France’s plant species. It is therefore a gem that is important to preserve.
In this spirit, the park has successfully saved endangered species. Among these animals are the ibex and even the bearded vulture. These are very encouraging results that will continue in this direction, in order to use this natural wealth as an “added value” that will benefit both ecology and the local economy.
The Tour de France Will Pass Through
The Tour de France will pass through the park, and on this occasion, all measures have been taken to avoid disturbing and endangering the park. The public coming for the Tour will have the opportunity to be educated about the park’s biodiversity and ecology. A reminder that does no harm. Then the Tour de France caravan will pass, but it will not distribute goodies and will not play music or sound to avoid disturbing the wildlife. Helicopter and drone overflights will be prohibited, as they would encroach on the airspace of certain birds in the park.
Wolves, a New Issue
Wolves naturally reintroduced themselves in the 1990s from Italy. They are responsible for 437 attacks this year on livestock in the Mercantour. This is an issue for shepherds who live under pressure of experiencing an attack on their animals and losing livestock. The park is committed to helping them. The park conducts species monitoring in the territory in partnership with breeders. Shepherds will be 100% financed as long as they are settled in the territory.
