Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park expansion proposed

The Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) has submitted a proposal to expand the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park (PNSAC) to include three additional municipalities: Alcanena, Ourém, and Torres Novas. The proposal is currently undergoing public consultation via the Participa Portal.

The expansion aims to cover approximately 3,734 hectares along the ridge and adjacent areas within the Santarém district. This move seeks to address a gap in the current protected area, which currently covers about 38,352 hectares across seven municipalities. By extending the boundaries, the ICNF intends to protect a significant portion of the Maciço Calcário Estremenho that is currently outside the park's limits.

The expansion, which has been advocated for by the Torres Novas City Council since 2019, focuses on preserving the unique karst landscape and the geological, hydrological, and ecological values of the region. The technical dossier describes the area as one of the most notable examples of Portuguese geomorphological heritage.