Lake Garda: President of the Hotel Association scolds the water debate - "Hands off the lake"
Created: 06/22/2022, 14:56
By: Martina Lippl
Lago di Garda: A look at Lake Garda in Italy awakens a longing for the Dolce Vita.
© Bassi/imago
The water at Lake Garda magically attracts holidaymakers.
Now a dispute about the water has broken out.
The tourism industry warns that the largest lake in northern Italy is not a good advertisement.
Garda – Italy is drought.
It has not rained a drop in some regions for more than 112 days.
The Po River is drying up and the level has dropped dramatically.
Drastic measures are ordered in the middle of the holiday season.
Drinking water is scarce, the water reservoirs are empty.
Italy: In the middle of the holiday season - a dispute over Lake Garda water
Now water is to be pumped out of Lake Garda to feed the river Po.
However, the idea of the authority that manages the water of the Po basin - "Autorità di Bacino Distrettuale del Fiume Po" - meets with resistance.
"We don't give away our water," was the reply from the Lake Garda communities.
According to the Lake Garda municipalities, the water from Lake Garda would hardly alleviate the lack of water in the Po Valley.
Lake Garda is also suffering from drought.
Compared to other lakes, the situation is less precarious, but the water level is almost half a meter lower than last year.
Water crisis has consequences for Lake Garda tourism
Now the tourism industry is speaking up.
Lake Garda is one of the most important tourist destinations in Veneto region after Venice.
Taking water from Lake Garda is not a solution.
“Keep your hands off the lake!” demands Ivan De Beni, President of the Hotel Association of Lake Garda Municipalities, on the “Federalberghi Garda Veneto” Facebook page.
The hotel association therefore shares the concerns of the Lake Garda community.
Taking water from Lake Garda to compensate for the low water in the Po is “not a solution”, but further destabilization.
"The sensitive ecosystem of the lake has been touched too often to compensate for the deficiencies of others," explains hotel association boss Ivan De Beni in the news portal
daily.veronanetwork.it.
Dispute over Lake Garda water damages image
Lake Garda would experience a decrease in its volume during the summer months.
Lake Garda would be chosen by all of Europe and the world for bathing, water sports and also shipping.
Lower water levels in Lake Garda could severely limit these options or, in the worst case, mean the end.
The water debate about Lake Garda could also have direct consequences for tourism on Lake Garda.
Alarming news was already spreading abroad about the lack of water in the lake, which could make Lake Garda less attractive as a holiday destination and damage the image of the entire Lake Garda community.
The head of the hotel association is therefore calling for the issue of protecting Lake Garda to be tackled together.
(ml)
