The natural oasis of one of the most polluted areas of Rome risks dying.
This is Lake Bullicante ex Snia, a basin of water born in 1992 from the excavation for a shopping center in the Prenestino – Pigneto district, in the eastern quadrant of the capital.
A sort of 'miracle' as those who live in the area often say.
Among the five cases of spontaneous renaturation in Europe, together with its Brussels twin Marais Wiels, this area is rich in biodiversity.
It also has great historical value: immersed in the waters are the ruins of the disused Snia Viscosa factory, an important piece of Italian industrial archaeology.
Thanks to these characteristics, the lake has become a point of reference for the inhabitants of the neighborhood and for numerous associations, which organize cultural or educational events.
To defend it, in addition to the permanent territorial Forum of the Energy Park, there are also the young people of Fridays for Future.
In 2021 part of the area was declared a natural monument by the Lazio Region.
However, the efforts of citizens risk becoming in vain.
Nicola Zingaretti, before resigning as governor, did not sign the act to extend the protections.
However, the battle to protect the lake continues at the Tables with the Region and in the neighborhood, where demonstrations and actions to raise awareness among the inhabitants continue.
"Regardless of the fact that for us the conditions for the adoption of the restriction are lacking, legally the president Zingaretti could not in any case sign the deed for the extension of the natural monument, because the opinion of the environment commissions was lacking", explains the owner of the area, Ponente 1978 srl, which adds that it has presented numerous projects for the site, also taking into account the "use of the community".
"From the city planning department" of the Municipality of Rome Capital "we have not had positive feedback and we are always there at the window, because these projects can only be done together and not alone".
In the lake area, during the summer of 2022, there was a cut of vegetation contested by the Forum.
The property defends itself, arguing that "
a cleaning was done at the request of the Rome Police Headquarters.
For this reason, no proceeding has been concluded" against the deed, concludes Ponente 1978 srl.