The most navigated stretch of the Tiber River in Rome,
between Ponte Milvio and Tiberina Island, is also the most at risk for urban
blight and environmental damage. To address the problem, the region of Lazio
has formed a team of volunteers, the Tiber Rangers, who will periodically monitor
and improve the conditions of the river.
‘These volunteers, expert canoeists who will travel
both on boats and on bikes, will monitor the river, indicating to police areas
of risk in terms of blight and abuse of the waterway,’ said Renata Polverini,
president of the Lazio region, after a ride on the Tiber with a few of the
rangers.
‘Today there are 40 volunteers, 28 men and 12 women
… We’ve decided to work harder to renew and revive the Tiber river, also in
view of the Rome Olympics in 2020.
We want to curb urban blight, bring the river closer
to the citizens and more accessible to residents and tourists. In doing so
we’ll improve the city’s image abroad,’ Polverini told the press.
The Tiber Rangers include representatives from the
Canottieri Lazio, Circolo Canottieri Aniene and the Circolo Canottieri Todaro
canoeing associations. Rangers will travel the river on a small catamaran and
monitor its banks on bikes.
