Authorities Halt Construction Work in Protected Area
Benevento – The Carabinieri Forestry Police have halted the construction of an illegal wind farm in the province of Benevento. Officers seized four construction sites in the municipalities of San Marco dei Cavoti and Molinara, where work on erecting wind turbines had already begun. The public prosecutor’s office had ordered the immediate sealing of the sites by emergency decree.
The reason for the intervention is the complete lack of permits. Construction work was proceeding at full speed despite an explicit veto by the historic preservation authority. The entire area is designated as a landscape conservation area and forest. By the time the police arrived, the foundations for three wind turbines had already been poured. In addition, large areas had been leveled for a fourth wind turbine, access roads had been altered, and trees had been cleared.
Investigators and a technical consultant had previously inspected the construction sites. They documented the destruction of valuable tree species and the ongoing erosion of the forest soil caused by the massive interventions. To prevent further, irreparable damage to the environment, the public prosecutor’s office felt compelled to take immediate action.
An investigating judge at the Benevento Court has confirmed the seizure on July 6, 2026. The measure is intended to prevent further damage to the protected habitat. Preliminary investigations are now underway against those responsible. Until a final judgment is rendered, they are presumed innocent.
