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230 Europe

Tourism in the protected area
of Mt Etna and its ecological
and economic impact

The ‘Parco dell’ Etna’ (Parco Naturale Regionale
dell’Etna) was the first park under the regional
parks provision (DPR) of 17 March 1987, No. 73
in Sicily. Big parts of the volcano were put under
protection to conserve the landscape and to
prevent further damage. In the 19th century the
environment was transformed by the extension Figure 15.3 Areas of Mt Etna Park (Parco Naturale
of viticulture. Forest areas up to an elevation of Regionale dell’Etna)
1000m were deforested, followed by the building
of extensive terracing and the construction of nature-conservation organizations strove to
country houses. However, these changes were realize a nature reserve to counteract these
negligible compared to the uncontrolled patterns. The establishment of the park had to
development of various buildings like vacation overcome numerous obstacles and lit conflicts
houses. This phenomenon originated from between local interests and the needs and
prosperous populations in Catania in the 19th demands of conservation of the environment.
century and culminated in the 1970s in vacation Ultimately, the Parco dell’ Etna was established
village tourism. From this time tourists came all in 1987 with a total area of about 59,000ha over
year round, not only in summer. In response the several climate and vegetation zones. It is divided
inhabitants of the Etna region, who represented into four zones with different levels of protection
the largest group of private investors, began to and restrictions, increasing with altitude, from zone
build numerous small accommodation on a D to zone A (Figure 15.3; Table 15.4). Areas A and
simple level with the purpose to rent it to B are located above the ring road and together
national and international tourists. Simultaneously, cover about 45,000ha or 70 per cent of the total
they prevented the development of a strong area of the park. All four areas allow access to the
hotel-structure. In addition, the implementation public. The tourist areas (NN and PP) have been
of ski slopes, the building of the road Mareneve designated as low-protection zones (C) to permit
and the deforestation of Mt San Leo for tourist further expansion and to allow fast reconstructions
interests had significant damaging impact and in case of eruption-induced damage.
contributed to erosion. The tolerance of the The following four main themes are the
local administration combined with their primary objectives of the park: protection of
unhappy politics supported a considerable natural heritage; rehabilitation and upgrading of
expansion of development in the 20th century. the buildings; protection of agricultural heritage;
In order to prevent further damage, scientists and and protection of tourism. Administratively, it has

Table 15.4 Areas of Mt Etna Park (Parco Naturale Regionale dell’Etna 2009)
Zone A: ‘Strict nature reserve’ (19,237ha) without settlement structures. Any intervention by people is prohibited, except for the
purpose of renewal and expansion of forest areas. Livestock farming is allowed, as long as the vegetation is not affected.
Zone B: ‘General reserve’ (25,391ha), populated since the ancient times. Intensive agriculture with industrial connotations is
excluded. The practice of animal husbandry is for a maximum load of two livestock units per hectare. Traditional farming is
permitted (e.g. wine, hazelnuts, pistachios), as are forestry activities and breeding.
Zone C: Several isolated ‘Protected areas’ (4,188ha). The construction of tourist facilities (e.g. hotels, ski lifts) is allowed, when built
in harmony with nature.
Zone D: ‘Controlled area’ (9,551ha) with restrictions on construction, pollution and the introduction of non-endemic flora and fauna.

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