Towards the Area Plan of the Val Troncea Natural Park

On Friday, May 22, 2026, in Pragelato, an informative session “Future Val Troncea? Let’s decide together!” took place, entirely open to discussion and listening to those who govern, work, oversee, live, and care about the Natural Park of Val Troncea. The goal of the day was to listen to further requests from stakeholders and gather observations to evaluate and develop in view of the drafting of the future Area Plan of the Park.
 
The appointment saw great participation and was divided into discussion forums that addressed two main themes: the accessibility of the Park (dedicated paths and thematic trails) with its access system (gates, infrastructure, services, and information) and the system of Refuges and Villages (with a role of oversight as well as a hub for relationships and connections to invest in).

The day was introduced by Elio Pulzoni, President of the Body, who emphasized the importance of these moments of sharing and discussion with the territory, which are well aligned and closely connected to the political guidelines of the new administration of the Body, recently approved by the Body Council, in aPolitical Manifesto entitled 'Rigermogliare'. A clear statement of intentions and “participated” guidelines that, starting from a shared basis of topics, find in the proposed focuses the cases and practical themes to confront, in order to derive directions and indications for administrative activity.

Luca Marello, Director of the Body, then recapped the steps developed so far to outline the new vision of the Park that will find an important reference in land use planning in the upcoming Area Plan; a document drafted according to regional guidelines, which will have to interface with other regulatory and regulatory instruments. In the first phase of the work, started in 2024, after analyzing the territorial context of the Val Troncea, the first participatory meetings were held with both external and internal stakeholders of the Body, as well as with structures of the Piedmont Region, thus leading the team of appointed professionals to formulate the first zoning proposals for the Park – with areas of greater natural value (A), natural areas (B), agro-silvo-pastoral areas (C), and urbanized and transformation areas (D) - and bringing the argument to two aspects now under further examination: the access system and the walkability of the protected area and the system of villages and refuges (managed and unmanaged).

The two forums proposed during the day maintained the attention of the many participants who were able to express and argue ideas, proposals, and possible solutions in listening and discussion tables, organized and conducted by the professionals appointed by the Body for the development of the Area Plan. Guided and assisted by the informality of the world café, the result of the group work was achieved; all participants, in rotation, participated in all the discussion tables completing their task and converging, where possible, on proposals and indications, thereby bringing various viewpoints to the attention of future decision-makers. A deep thank you goes to all of them from the Body for their contributions and for the great attention shown to the protected area, which can only be protected and preserved together.

The technical and political procedural path for the Area Plan will continue with well-defined steps. The next steps include the drafting of the draft Plan for initial adoption by the Body Council; subsequently, the document will undergo Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), including Environmental Impact Assessment (Vinca), and finally, after the necessary revisions, will go to regional approval to become executive. Each phase is preparatory to the next, ensuring a transparent process open to feedback and observations.

The future Area Plan of the Natural Park of Val Troncea represents an important opportunity and it is essential that all stakeholders continue to follow and stay updated on the ongoing process.