The surveillance and safety device implemented last week by the Cabildo of Tenerife in the Corona Forestal of the Island has recorded 130 reports in just seven days. The operation, which involves insular environmental agents working in collaboration with the Guardia Civil – with the Canary Police joining this week – has processed 40 reports for various environmental offences and 86 for violations of regulations concerning vehicle traffic.
The natural resources councillor, Blanca Pérez, explains that the traffic violations are mainly due to improper parking of cars on the roads, particularly on routes leading to the Teide National Park. Of these reports, 44 have been issued to quad bikes. Pérez adds: “Several of these quad riders have been reported for riding on unauthorised tracks and also to cyclists who were using trails where this is prohibited.” There have also been reports for parking vehicles in a way that obstructs access to forest tracks during a period of fire risk alert, as the Island has experienced for most of August.
Traffic
Incidents in protected areas have been numerous for some time, but the direct origin of the latest device is the trend of overcrowding at viewpoints, particularly at Chipeque (Santa Úrsula), Chimague (Arafo), and Ayosa (La Orotava), especially at dawn and dusk with the beautiful backdrop of Teide. The overcrowding is even greater during these summer months.
‘Selfies’
Sadly, obtaining the perfect selfie for social media often involves bypassing barriers to access prohibited areas of these protected natural spaces or leaving behind a trail of litter, including hundreds of cigarette butts. It must be noted that during periods of forest fire alerts, such as those declared for nearly all of this month, smoking is not allowed in these locations. Incorrect uses, such as setting up picnic chairs or tents in protected areas, have also been observed.
Authorities
The Cabildo reminds that the insular environmental agents are empowered to issue reports against individuals and vehicles that violate regulations, and these cases are then forwarded to the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), the state body responsible for imposing penalties.
Complexity
Blanca Pérez explains that “this is a complex issue that requires a coordinated response from different administrations.” Therefore, they will request a meeting with the Government Subdelegation, as the Delegation has the authority over traffic regulation. In any case, Pérez emphasises, “we will continue working to prevent overcrowding and protect the environment, as well as ensuring that any behaviour that violates regulations will be reported.”
Teide
Recent reports on social media regarding new violations of regulations in the Teide National Park have been assessed by Blanca Pérez as inappropriate behaviours subject to penalties. One such case involved a Belgian hairdresser conducting services in the middle of the road within the National Park, which is currently being processed by the Directorate General of Traffic. Regarding the controversy surrounding the announcement by the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra, Pérez clarifies that “all necessary permits were obtained, and the music accompanying the video was not performed live. In other words, everything was conducted in accordance with current regulations.”
Competencies
The Cabildo of Tenerife is still awaiting a decree from the Autonomous Community that will grant it full competencies in managing the Teide National Park. This means transferring responsibilities from being delegated, as they are currently, to being transferred by the Autonomous Government. It was announced for last January but has yet to materialise nearly eight months later. Meanwhile, the new Management and Usage Plan (PRUG) continues to be undeveloped – the current plan dates back to 1992 – and its draft seems to be languishing in bureaucratic limbo.
Message
Councillor Pérez warns imprudent or malicious individuals with a strong message: “We will not allow our natural spaces to be invaded or the safety of individuals to be compromised. We are talking about territorial protection and safety.”
