Full statement from Guatiza residents:
The residents of the village of Guatiza have expressed their concerns regarding guided tourist activities involving buggies and quads, which traverse the rural and urban surroundings in violation of the Quads Traffic Regulation Ordinance published in the BOP No. 14, dated 29 January 2010.
Environmental Concerns
The constant presence of these excursions is causing severe environmental and landscape impacts in the area, including soil erosion, destruction of rural paths, alteration of trails, harm to biodiversity, invasion of private spaces, and increased noise and airborne dust pollution. Furthermore, these tourist practices directly affect the quality of life for residents, leading to daily disturbances, particularly during rest hours and in residential areas.
Reports of Unruly Behaviour
In addition to environmental concerns, there is an increasingly tense atmosphere among residents. Neighbours report incidents of inappropriate behaviour, insults, and even threats from some participants when they are admonished for inappropriate driving or trespassing in unauthorised areas.
Demands from Residents
In light of these issues, affected individuals are demanding that the Teguise Council take the following actions:
1. The strict and urgent enforcement of the Municipal Ordinance that regulates and restricts the use of these vehicles. Article 2 of this Ordinance states the intent to “protect urban roads and especially the rural paths of the municipality in order to shield them from deterioration caused by the passage of vehicles of this nature.” This regulation is systematically ignored on a daily basis.
2. Increased police oversight and control, particularly in urban centres and environmentally sensitive areas. The regulation specifies in Article 6 that the paths and routes permitted for use will be “those with a surface paved with asphalt mix,” which photographic evidence shows is not being adhered to.
3. The adoption of firm measures to curb activities that, instead of promoting sustainable tourism, are damaging Guatiza’s natural and cultural heritage and jeopardising civil coexistence.
Call for Responsible Tourism
Residents emphasise that responsible tourism should be compatible with environmental conservation and respect for the local population. They contend that such mass buggy activities contradict these principles.
The ongoing presence of these excursions is severely impacting the area’s environment and landscape, causing soil erosion, destruction of rural pathways, alterations to trails, harm to biodiversity, invasion of private spaces, and increased noise and dust pollution.
Moreover, the detrimental effect on residents’ quality of life due to daily disturbances, especially during rest periods, has led to a state of emotional anxiety regarding the frequency of these activities.
Residents have already met several times to urge the Council to address these serious violations, including discussions with the Environment Councillor, with whom they have an upcoming meeting scheduled.
