When smoke from wildfires spreads through Catalonia’s forests, it’s hard to see all the planning, work, and investment made to prevent them. In the heat of the moment, few people stop to think about the year-round efforts to protect the woodlands. However, private forest owners don’t forget, as they are well aware of the vulnerability of the forests and the costs involved in managing them.

We visit Melcior Montaner (Vic, 1948), owner of the Viladevall estate in Sora and the protagonist of the new short film Històries BCN Smart Rural, to hear about the restoration of forests and pastures that has taken place under the BCN Smart Rural strategy.

When you walk through the forest, how do you feel?

Often disappointed. As incredible as it may seem, forest cover in Catalonia has almost doubled in recent years, largely due to the abandonment of many agricultural lands. In many terraces that were once cultivated, forests have taken over, and it is now essential to restore these areas. Returning this land to agriculture and grazing would help preserve the landscape.

What does good forest management mean to you?

First of all, the undergrowth needs to be cleared with machinery, and areas must be created where herds can help maintain it. Thinning, selective pruning, clearing of bushes, and other similar tasks are necessary, as we have done on my estate with the support of the Diputación de Barcelona and its BCN Smart Rural project. However, if only machinery is used, everything will return to the way it was after a while. It is crucial for farmers to continue the work started by chainsaws.

«It is crucial for farmers to continue the work started by chainsaws» Melcior Montaner

So, do forest owners benefit from allowing animals to graze in the forest?

Absolutely! The more space animals have to graze, the better. Extensive livestock farming is essential for keeping the forest clean and preventing fires. There’s also an aesthetic benefit, as the landscape improves significantly with these actions.

What are the consequences of not managing the forests?

Without intervention, forests become increasingly overgrown, filled with scrub, and impossible to pass through. In the event of a fire, the blaze becomes unstoppable. That’s why I believe that forest work to break up the continuity of vegetation, along with livestock maintaining the land, is highly beneficial.

Is cutting down trees beneficial?

It can be if done correctly. For example, removing dead trees and creating space for younger ones to grow brings ecological benefits. It’s also a good idea to reduce the number of red pines and increase the number of oaks and holm oaks, which are less flammable and more resilient to fire. Sometimes cutting down a tree can be very positive for forest regeneration.

«Sometimes cutting down a tree can be very positive for forest regeneration» Melcior Montaner

Can a small forest owner like yourself manage your estate with your own resources, or do you need help from the authorities to protect the landscape and forests from the risk of wildfires?

Today, forests are not economically viable. The price of wood is the same as it was twenty-five years ago, but the labour costs of extracting it have risen significantly. Collaboration between public authorities and private landowners is essential to protect Catalonia’s forests.

«Collaboration between public authorities and private landowners is essential to protect Catalonia’s forests» Melcior Montaner

Is it possible to balance landscape preservation with achieving some profitability to ensure the continuity of the estate?

Yes, it’s possible, but only if, like me, you’re not trying to make a living solely from the forest and you manage it in the best way with small interventions.

— BCN Smart Rural Editorial —