Cape Verde Moves to Block Resort Over Environmental Risks
The Cape Verdean Attorney General’s Office (PGR) has moved to halt a controversial tourism development on São Francisco beach, citing severe environmental risks and potential coastline degradation. The move follows a wave of public outcry and complaints from environmental groups over construction on one of the island’s most pristine stretches of sand.
Environmental and Legal Challenges
In a statement released today, the PGR announced it has filed an appeal to annul the concession of the area, located approximately 16 kilometers from the capital, Praia. The legal action includes an urgent request for the provisional suspension of all work at the site.
Prosecutors argue that the project threatens the delicate coastal ecosystem. “The work entails increased risks of coastal erosion and environmental degradation associated with permanent construction in a sensitive coastal zone,” the PGR stated, emphasizing that the intervention is necessary to defend the “rights of citizens and collective interests.”
Threats to Sea Turtle Habitats
São Francisco beach is more than just a popular leisure spot; it is a critical ecological site. The environmental association Lantuna has long monitored the beach, noting its importance as a nesting ground for sea turtles between July and October.
The controversy centers on an administrative grant issued by the Minister of the Sea. This grant authorized a private company to use 600 square meters of the maritime public domain for a new tourist development. Currently, a portion of the structural work is already visible on the beach, cordoned off by a red fence.
Lack of Transparency Alleged
Environmental advocates have raised alarms not only about the construction itself but also the process behind its approval. Lantuna claims that the project was licensed without a mandatory environmental impact study or public consultation. According to the association, authorities required only a “management plan,” which the group has been unable to access.
“We deeply regret this lack of transparency in a matter of high public and environmental interest,” Lantuna stated, following months of efforts to stop the development.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that its decision to intervene was triggered by these public complaints and mounting evidence that the concession may have bypassed legal and environmental standards.
Image: Pexels – Karlus Morales
