Before the 1960s, the forest was an essential source of resources for farmers and laborers, providing wood (for mine props or construction), firewood, honey, game, and pasture. A healthy forest was considered a symbol of wealth and productivity.
However, with mechanization, industrialization, and the rural exodus, the forest ceased to be a resource and was progressively abandoned. This lack of management led to the accumulation of dry material, such as branches and brush, turning the forests into a serious hazard.
The lack of continuous management has turned the forest into a tinderbox, posing a serious danger for the spread of forest fires and the preservation of the rural environment.
Silvopasture allows for the management of forest mass through grazing livestock, which keeps the undergrowth clean. This technique, combined with selective thinning and felling of trees, enables the maintenance of a relatively clean forest and the creation of perimeter safety strips.
This practice is already a reality in Les Garrigues. Currently, a herd of goats can be seen in the Fontfreda area, in the municipality of Tarrés, and a group of horses in Els Plans, actively contributing to fire prevention.
