Forestry Services
Original title: Serviços Florestais
Outlines Madeira's forestry service since 1897, its limited work and neglect of native trees, and the administrative changes of 1913–1922.
Since 1897 these services have been in the charge of a department headed by a forestry officer (regente florestal). To date, it has confined itself to planting some exotic trees on Porto Santo (‘holy harbour’) and promoting the sowing of maritime pine in the mountainous region of Madeira. Nothing has so far been done to conserve and propagate the native trees, and many of them may soon disappear because of the constant devastation wrought on them by woodcutters, charcoal burners and livestock (1921).
By the decree of 3 April 1922, the Forest Police (Polícia Florestal) services that had belonged to the former Agricultural Board (Junta Agrícola) were provisionally placed in the charge of the agricultural station of the 9th Region. Law no. 26 of 9 July 1913 created four forestry sections, which were divided into zones, that of Funchal being no. 25 and included in the fourth section, based in Lisbon. The decree of 8 May 1918 established eight forestry districts, with Funchal included in the sixth district, based in Lisbon, and eighteen forestry offices, that of Funchal being no. 18. See Afforestation, Livestock, Timber and Forest Police.
In this article
Time
Years mentioned · 04-
Forestry services in Madeira were placed under a department headed by a forestry officer.
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The agricultural law (no. 26) of 9 July 1913 created the Regional Chamber of Agriculture, abolished the District Council of Agriculture and set up agricultural and forestry sections, Funchal forming no. 25.
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A decree established eight forestry districts and eighteen forestry regencies, with Funchal as regency no. 18.
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Decree no. 8089 defined the duties of the 9th Region Agricultural Station, transferring to it the extinct Junta Agrícola's property, experimental stations, forest policing and the sugar regime.
Place
Places mentioned · 03
Abroad
- Funchal
Forestry zone and regency within national forestry divisions.
The capital of the archipelago and seat of the principal captaincy, where settlement began; it was made a vila c.1451–52. Its bay, the widest in the archipelago, lies between Ponta do Garajau and Ponta da Cruz and offers sheltered anchorage, though its harbour had never been studied oceanographically. The Elucidário discusses it as a health resort with climate data and records the January 1906 disturbances, the Danish prince's visit in May 1846 and recent volcanic cones in the area.
- Lisbon
Portugal. Seat of the forestry section and circumscription covering Funchal.
The Portuguese capital, seat of the Relação court and of the Misericórdia whose privileges and statutes were extended to Funchal. Henrique Franco de Sousa studied at its Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and Luiz José Baiardo moved there in 1821.
- Porto Santo
Where exotic trees were planted by the service.
An island of the archipelago, settled alongside Madeira and forming one of the three captaincies. It has always constituted a single parish, dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Piedade, whose church was repeatedly sacked. The Elucidário records the Moorish pirate raid of 1617, its own Misericórdia and a rainwater channel built on this drought-prone island.