Monte Gojè restoration plan faces budget scrutiny after wildfire

Following a wildfire that destroyed 25 hectares of vegetation on Monte Gojè near Como, a feasibility study has been presented to the Lombardy Region to address hydrogeological safety and forest restoration.

The initial project is estimated to cost 7 million euros and span 24 months. Proposed works include installing rockfall protection nets to secure nearby residential areas, constructing a service road for emergency access, and reforesting the most affected zones.

Due to concerns regarding the high cost and timeline, stakeholders are discussing ways to reduce the budget. Representatives from the Unione Circoli Cooperativi di Albate suggested cutting approximately 4 million euros by removing the planned green road and reducing helicopter use for debris removal. This could lower the estimated cost to 3 million euros, making it more feasible for regional funding through a multi-year program. An immediate priority remains the stabilization of rocks to prevent debris from falling on Albate and Via Oltrecolle, an intervention for which 440,000 euros has already been allocated.