Preserving Paradise
The Pink Beach faces renewed peril as visitors arrive by boat, trespass onto the beach, and share photos online,” warned Fabrizio Fonnesu, director of the Maddalena Archipelago National Park. The Pink Beach, situated on Budelli Island, stands as one of the world’s most stunning beaches, named for the unique hue of its sand. Abounding with minute coral fragments, granite, and shells, its remarkable coloration is attributed to a pink microorganism inhabiting the Posidonia meadows and residing within the shells.
In 2001, a couple incurred a fine of €1,000 ($1,600) for filling a plastic bottle with sand, but today, such an act can result in penalties of up to $5,500 for travelers. This cautionary tale coincides with other efforts to protect Italy’s natural environments, including strict daily visitor limits on both Sicily and Sardinia’s largest islands. Stefano Monni, the mayor of Baunei, emphasized the need to avoid unsustainable overcrowding on the beaches, reflecting a growing awareness of the importance of preserving these precious natural treasures.
