Unawareness because “the Master Plan has not been read, something impossible as it is not yet public” and haste to “anticipate events” when giving an opinion. These are the two arguments of the General Director of Tourist Infrastructures of the Government of the Canary Islands, Fernando Miñarro, regarding the social and political response that the announced Director Plan of Puddles tidal. Popular opinion values it “very positive because it shows the interest and affection that people have for their coastal areas.” The opposition of municipalities such as La Laguna considers it “premature” because they have not even seen the document. Advance: «You will see it because we will try to reach a consensus with all parties and we will be delighted if you send us your project for the coastline and include it ». And he adds: “We are trying to locate the marine biologist Pablo Martín – promoter of the collection of signatures on the internet – and we will also invite him to participate in the process.”
Miñarro signs up for the slogan of the collection of signatures on the change.org portal, Los puddles are not touched. He argues: “That is precisely what we want. Do not touch the puddles but its periphery. He announces a “long road that we have just started” and values the work done: “An individualized file has been made for each space with its characteristics and needs.”
About the concept of touristify the coast, one of the accusations, defends: «The initiative is designed for both tourists and residents; the latter are, in fact, the ones who enjoy the puddles the most ». And he wonders: “What is the problem in changing a rusty ladder, placing a container where to deposit the garbage or putting up an information panel, precisely to clarify the environmental value of the area?” In addition, he points out, “it is about improving spaces, which are already being used.” Also also that “the proposal diversifies the offer and that will take pressure off the pools with more users.”
Cultural value
Miñarro insists on the idea of ”popular support, which has been demonstrated even more these days, for the environmental and, above all, cultural value of the puddles, a public space to take care of.” He believes that “people have every right to have a say and I am glad that this issue is so prominent in the public debate.” However, he considers that “some approaches that I have heard are premature and not very correct.”
Arovecha the CEO to affirm: “The 29.4 million announced are not an investment but a projection, an amount that is expected based on the number of puddles and a first approximation to their reality and needs.” These range from car parks to access improvements. For Miñarro, “what is claimed in the argument of the complaint is already reflected in the Plan.” Like an environmental impact study that “is included in chapter 7. The first thing to do to be able to give an opinion on something is to know it.”
Miñarro is also “delighted” that La Laguna sends them his project “to incorporate it into the document.” Tourism intends to show it to all the actors who have something to do with its development. From municipalities to Ecological Transition or Levels, both state and provincial
Miñarro vindicates the idea of «good maintenance of public space but with the premise of innovating and integrating into the environment. To break the usual thing that is the cement and to close ». He thinks that «there is another way to do it, with a light and temporary architecture, as well as materials from the area and so on. Sustainable and integrated projects in nature to enhance it ”. And, he values, “with the utmost respect for the biodiversity found in that environment.”
Give an example. «The Interpretation Park of the Drago Milenario of Icod has been key for its good maintenance and for it to continue there. As it happens there, we are not going to destroy anything or modify the landscape, but quite the opposite ». He summarizes: «The Charcos de Marea Master Plan is a declaration of intentions. They cannot go against any specific project because they do not know about it to be able to comment on it ».
The Plan includes measures to improve service facilities in the puddles. For this, the most accessible and visited natural pools have been selected, as well as the best equipped and with the greatest landscape values. It is a guide “to improve accesses and car parks, with actions aimed at minimizing the impact of the urban intervention already carried out or to be done”, details the person in charge of the Ministry of Tourism.
“A different experience”
“What we seek is simply to value these extraordinary corners of our coast, which provide a different and unique experience, at the same time that we guarantee their preservation,” Miñarro details. In the Canary Islands there are 492 cataloged pools, distributed throughout the coastline. A large majority are not recommended from a tourist point of view, due to the insecurity in front of the sea or a complex pedestrian and car access.
The Government of the Canary Islands is working on a project that aims to act in the 117 pools of “tourist interest”. To enhance its value as a natural attraction, but, according to Miñarro, “always with the utmost respect for the environment.”
