Terminillo, a mountain massif of 2,217 meters in the Rieti area about 100 km from Rome, often defined as “the mountain of Rome” due to its historical attendance by the citizens of the capital, is preparing for an important renovation and expansion of its area skiing. The Council of State has in fact rejected the appeals of the environmentalist associations, giving the green light to the TSM2 project (Terminillo Montana Station 2). The news, welcomed with enthusiasm by local administrations and tourist operators, however raises many concerns among environmentalists, which report a serious impact on the local ecosystem.
The TSM2 project involves the renovation of disused ski lifts, the addition of new infrastructure, the technological modernization of existing structures and the implementation of safety measures against the risk of landslides and avalanches. However, the most controversial aspect of the project is the felling of 17 hectares of centuries-old beech forest to make room for the new ski slopes.
This deforestation represents a serious threat to the Marsican beara protected species that finds one of its main habitats in Terminillo. Environmental associations, including WWF, CAI and Save the Bear, have highlighted how the reduction of habitat could compromise the survival of this already at risk species.
In addition to environmental damage, environmentalists also question the economic sustainability of the work. The plants, located at altitudes lower than 1900 metres, risk being difficult to use due to the scarcity of snowan increasingly evident problem in recent years due to climate change.
“Terminillo is a victim of climate change”, denounce environmentalist associations. “Precipitation is constantly decreasing and with it the days of snow and the temperatures suitable for artificial snow”.
Artificial snow, however, represents a further environmental problem, with a high consumption of water and energy. There is therefore fear that Terminillo could transform into yet another cathedral in the desert, an expensive and high-impact project that risks proving to be an economic and environmental failure.
The reassurances of the Council of State
The Council of State, in its ruling, considered the environmentalists’ concerns unfounded. According to the judges, the interventions envisaged by TSM2 are “compatible with the conservation objectives of the Special Protection Area (SPA) of the Reatini Mountains“. Furthermore, the plan includes measures to mitigation to monitor wildlife and reduce the impact of the work on the environment, including compensatory reforestation in areas not affected by the plants.
A controversial project
Despite the reassurances, the TSM2 project remains at the center of a heated debate. On the one hand, local administrations and tourism operators see the new ski resort an opportunity for economic revival for the areacreating new jobs and attracting more tourists. On the other side, environmentalists denounce an anachronistic and unsustainable projectwhich puts a fragile and precious ecosystem at risk.
The challenge of sustainability
The Terminillo affair raises crucial questions about the future of mountain tourism in an era of climate change. Is it possible to reconcile economic development with environmental protection? What are the alternatives to mass skiing to enhance the mountains in a sustainable way?
The challenge for Terminillo, as for many other mountain resorts, is to find a model of tourism development that knows how combine the valorization of natural resources with their conservation. A model that focuses on the quality of the tourist offer, on the diversification of activities and on promotion of responsible and environmentally friendly tourism. In this way, Terminillo could return to being a popular destination for tourists, without compromising its natural heritage and beauty.
