A small, paradisiacal island of 2 km2, thirty years a life of isolation... The story surprising and moving of Mauro Morandi could unfortunately come to an end. In 1989, as recounted to CNN, this former physical education teacher is embarking on an ambitious project : from Italy by lonely on his catamaran to reach Polynesia, at the other end of the world.
View this publication on Instagramun po' di luce per questa Italia
But the fate decided otherwise. Just party, it is forced to stop on a small island located between Corsica and Sardinia, the island of Budelli. The lightning is immediate, Mauro decided to make these clear waters and fine sand his residence. Supplied with food by boat, Mauro Morandi living in a shelter dating from the Second world War, powered by a solar energy system.
to Make the island an observatory
For 31 years, Mauro is dedicated to the preservation of his island and to the old radio station that serves as a refuge. But the Italian authorities now want to make the island an observatory environmental to take advantage of its unique ecosystem, and demanding the expulsion of the old browser, now 81 years old. The national park of the archipelago della Maddalena belongs to the island's request to be incurred " of the work of rehabilitation of existing structures, primarily the house of the guardian ".
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The Italian authorities justify their request by the non-official status of the presence of Mauro and his actions. "Our priority is to take action against any illegal construction within the national park," explains its president Fabrizio Fonnesu. And this includes the shelter of Mauro Morandi, a former radio station which has undergone modifications which are not regulatory. We must lead by example, protect the environment and restore this structure to be illegal. Then, we will imagine a new project that will probably be a scientific centre oriented towards the dissemination of environmental awareness. "
petition to protect the guardian of the island
To this may be added a few complaints from nearby residents, who denounced the portrait fiction of what is often referred to as Robinson Crusoe, pointing out that all hermit as it may be, it is primarily an occupant of illegal places. Mauro, himself, defends himself, and insists on the necessity of the presence of a caretaker on the island. "The other day, I pushed back two tourists who had crossed the boundaries of the beach rose, laments he. I removed the waste from the sand and I prevent intruders from coming in the night to sow the disorder. I am the only one to do the job that the authorities should be doing... "
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Mauro, who meets a very great success on Instagram, can now count on the support of tens of thousands of fans. A petition has been launched to make him the guardian of this island, that he knows probably better than anyone.
" I am ready to do all I can to stay here, said the man to CNN, even if it means that I make from strength. I would not know where to live or what to do... I don't see player cards or balls. All I ask, if I have to be discharged during the work, it is to be able to come back and continue what I'm doing every day, namely to protect the sand beach in charge of coral pink, the preserve of tourists and take care of the nature. I fear that my departure signals the end of the island of Budelli. "
