The Cabildo of Tenerife has coordinated security measures with the Civil Guard, the Canary Police, and Environmental Agents to manage the influx of visitors to Teide, specifically at the viewpoints of Chipeque, Chimague, and Ayosa in the Corona Natural Park.
This action will see the presence of the Canary Police in the Teide National Park starting from next week.
The island institution has felt compelled to implement these “punitive and deterrent measures” in response to the “crowds that gather at sunset” at certain viewpoints in the Island’s Forest Crown, as stated by the president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, in a press release.
“Every evening, there are crowds that not only cause traffic jams as they park indiscriminately, but also pose a risk to public safety, as we often find ourselves in potential danger due to forest fires,” she added.
The Cabildo reminds that as a measure to tackle the issues arising from the massive influx of people and vehicles in protected natural areas during peak times, such as Easter, special devices are set in place. These measures are now being enacted in response to the influx observed at the viewpoints in the Forest Crown. “Those who violate the rules will face fines,” warned the Councillor for Natural Environment, Blanca Pérez.
A GOAL: CONSTANT MONITORING
“This is a complex issue that requires a coordinated response from various administrations, and that is the path we are on. We are working to ensure these areas are under constant surveillance, as we not only need to protect nature but also address safety concerns regarding potential fires,” she added.
Pedro Millán, the island director of Natural Environment, stated that we cannot “allow natural spaces to be invaded while ignoring the rules.” He emphasised that Environmental Agents are authorised to report individuals and vehicles that fail to comply.
These reports are forwarded to the General Directorate of Traffic, which is responsible for issuing sanctions. In fact, several reports have already been processed regarding this matter in recent days.
In the first half of this year, around 700 reports for various environmental infractions have been filed on the island of Tenerife.
