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🇮🇹 Italy /Environment & Climate

Boom in 'Stone Men' in Alps Harms Nature, Warns Alpine Club

From ANSA · () Italian

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A growing trend of building "stone men" (small stacks of rocks) in the Alps is raising environmental concerns.
  • These structures, while visually appealing, can damage sensitive high-mountain ecosystems by displacing vital habitats for plants and animals.
  • Austrian and Italian alpine clubs are advocating for awareness and education rather than fines to curb the practice.

The increasing popularity of building "stone men", small stacks of rocks, in the Alps is drawing concern from environmentalists and alpine clubs. While these structures can offer striking encounters for hikers, their proliferation on mountain peaks, with some areas featuring dozens or even hundreds, is becoming a significant issue.

They are beautiful, but they must not become a mass phenomenon like the coins thrown into the Trevi Fountain.

— Carlo Alberto ZanellaCarlo Alberto Zanella, president of the Cai Alto Adige, expressed concern about the growing trend of building stone men.

The Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV) has issued an alert, warning that moving stones can harm the delicate high-mountain ecosystem. Sebastian Pilloni, a biologist and ranger for the Karwendel nature park, stated, "The material they are made of represents an important habitat for plants and animals of all kinds." Julia Seeber from the University of Innsbruck confirmed that removing stones destroys habitats for extended periods. Furthermore, the absence of these stones can lead to soil drying out, erosion by rain, and the collapse of the microclimate, even if only on a small scale.

The material they are made of represents an important habitat for plants and animals of all kinds.

— Sebastian PilloniBiologist and ranger Sebastian Pilloni highlighted the ecological impact of disturbing stones in mountain habitats.

Carlo Alberto Zanella, president of the Cai Alto Adige (Italian Alpine Club), acknowledged the historical significance of these stone stacks, which were used by shepherds for navigation in fog or simply out of boredom. He noted that some peaks are even named "Uomini di pietra" (Stone Men). Zanella emphasized that while they are fascinating, they should remain unique and not become a mass phenomenon, particularly for the purpose of taking selfies. He also pointed out that an excess of stone stacks could confuse trail markers in high-altitude areas.

Moving the stone removes the habitat and this for a very long time.

— Julia SeeberJulia Seeber from the University of Innsbruck explained the long-term consequences of displacing stones in high-altitude environments.

To address the boom, the Austrian Alpine Club is focusing on awareness and education rather than punitive measures. Markus Welzl, the ÖAV's vice president, believes that those building the stone men are likely unaware of the environmental damage they cause. He expressed confidence that the phenomenon will naturally fade if people are properly informed, likening the situation to the way it emerged. The goal is to respect ancient traditions without defacing them.

Probably they don't even know that they are damaging nature.

— Markus WelzlMarkus Welzl, vice president of the ÖAV, suggested that builders of stone men are often unaware of the environmental harm.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ANSA in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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