A nudge to comply with the regulations

They are commonly referred to by the English term “nudge”, but the Italian translation of pungolo is equally effective. They are stimuli of all kinds aimed at eliciting a change in attitude or behavior in people: positive reinforcements opposed to coercion or the threat of a sanction.

As of yesterday, August 13, 2025, the Protected Areas of the Cozie Alps have also begun a first experiment of this form of communication with the application of two panels in the Gran Bosco di Salbertrand Natural Park to raise visitors' awareness about the ecological importance of not abandoning roads and trails. The activity is developed with a series of regional and national parks, both Italian and French, within the Alcotra BiodivTourAlps project.

“If you leave me, it doesn't count” (a quote from a Julio Iglesias song) is the message that looms large on the boards installed at ground level in two commonly used points to shorten the main route, causing issues of erosion of the grass cover and the underlying soil. Not a message of prohibition – which is also in effect – and not a barrier to prevent passage, but a way to draw the attention of those about to take the shortcut and spur reflection on the effects of that gesture. With the aim of provoking a change in habits among mountain visitors even outside the Protected Areas where specific regulations are not in force but the problems are the same.

The two nudges are located along the Provincial Road No. 173 of the Assietta in the Colle dell’Assietta area at a point predominantly used by cyclists and motorcyclists and along the trail leading to the Testa dell’Assietta in a section where hikers cut a corner. Since this is an experimental project, a specific brief online questionnaire has been set up, open for completion by anyone who has closely observed the panels, to assess their effectiveness and the perception from visitors in the perspective of replicating the experience in other contexts.