Home to more than 680 species: nomination for the Rì di Lodano
There is an impressive diversity of life over a distance of just a few kilometres above Lodano in the Maggia valley. The Rì di Lodano has now been officially nominated for the River Pearls PLUS label – recognition of its extraordinary ecological value.
The Rì di Lodano flows through the imposing topography of the Lodano valley. Between its highest point, the Pizz CramalĂna (2322 m above sea level) and its lowest, where it converges with the Maggia at 330 m above sea level is a distance of only a little over 4 km. Above the barrage for the Verbano power station the Rì di Lodano is unspoilt.
These unusual conditions create a habitat of huge ecological importance. Over 670 species have been counted in the valley, among them fungi, plants, butterflies, grasshoppers, ants birds and mammals. Many of them are rare or endangered. The old beech forests in the Lodano valley have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a number of years.
The symbolic handover of the nominal trophy to community representatives now paves the way for certification with the River Pearls PLUS label. Certification protects the watercourse over the long term while at the same time strengthening the local population’s bond with nature in their region – ensuring that this special jewel in the Lodano valley remains intact.
Left to right: Fabrizio Sacchi, Maggia Municipality, Lorenzo Franscioni, President Local Residents’ Community Lodano und Gabriele Aebli, Association River Pearls