Puglia's Forest Coverage at Record Low, Calls for New Reforestation Strategy

Michele Di Lorenzo, regional environmental forum representative and Andria councillor, warned that Puglia faces a severe forest‑cover deficit, with the province of Bari recording only 0.45% forested area. Even the highest municipal index, Andria at 4.95%, is far below sustainable levels. Di Lorenzo criticised the regional government's lack of a coherent reforestation plan and warned that public funds from the PNRR are being misused on urban tree‑planting projects that quickly fail without proper irrigation.

He called for a comprehensive political vision to restore forest infrastructure, protect agricultural land, and curb the spread of summer wildfires linked to the low forest cover.