Coello considers from the outset “fundamental” incorporate technology into the management of natural spaces. Remember how in many places in the world, its use has brought great benefits. He understands that “it must be a complement to the work of environmental agents and in no case replace it.” He also advocates “improving the means available to these surveillance forces, which in many cases are insufficient.”
The director of the Foundation misses «awareness and sensitization campaigns in the main media and on social networks ». On a regular and systematic basis. In this regard, he emphasizes: “They have not been used for many years for unknown reasons.” He reflects on this: «If it is for economic reasons, administrations make a serious mistake because every euro used to prevent vandalism, infractions or environmental crimes, saves a lot of money to the public coffers and comes out of everyone’s pocket ».
Exponential increase
Jaime Coello believes that the increase in people in the natural spaces of the Island «has been exponential since the arrival of the pandemic and it has had consequences. Rate that «these are people who lack environmental culture and if they carry out uncivil behaviors in the city, they also commit them in nature.
This has led to an increase in the pressure already suffered by some natural areas, which, in Coello’s opinion, «has also had an impact on worsening quality of life for residents and workers of those areas. He gives as an example the case of the Anaga Rural Park. However, he acknowledges that “a considerable percentage of these people have also been able to verify that human beings need nature as it is, without human intervention, which has an impact on improved health and well-being.”
The director of the Telesforo Bravo-Juan Coello Foundation is in favor of improving the means of surveillance in the natural areas of Tenerife because “he does not allow discussion that they are clearly insufficient.” It affects the shortage of environmental agents on a large island, with a high percentage of the territory protected and sometimes without a single watchman available to cover a region. Coello adds: “It gives us the impression that the figure of the agent has not been well internalized or sufficiently valued by our public officials and sometimes they are seen more as enemies who can subtract votes if they exercise their powers and process complaints.” On the contrary, it values them as “fundamental pieces in the vigilance and protection of our greatest public treasure: the natural heritage.”
He rejects that they patrol alone, “when they should go as a couple” and understands that “these means of surveillance should also be dedicated to monitor social networks». In this regard, it highlights that “Pasasinhuella, with three or four volunteers and citizen complaints, detects dozens of environmental violations with simple searches.” Meanwhile, “the body in charge of managing those same spaces does not dedicate resources to the same work.”
Balance between protection and enjoyment of the natural space. There is the debate. Coello thinks that “each group, in a legitimate way, wants to enjoy nature. Everyone comes to practice their hobby, although it is clear that the degree of affection caused by each activity is different.
«The problem – assesses this environmental expert – begins when that enjoyment collides with that of others and especially when it involves breaking the rules and deteriorate the environment. Who also has a law degree is clear that “environmental regulations are not approved on a whim, there is a reason for being and it is not to bother anyone but to protect the natural environment.”
Educate and raise awareness
Coello criticizes the “neglect of environmental education and awareness by public administrations.” He states that “it has not been taught that natural spaces are protected to preserve a set of environmental values that are above or are compatible with any human action ». He sums it up: “All hobbies and economic activities, in no case should be above and prevail over the natural heritage, to the point of attacking it.”
It defends that this is not a continental territory, but an insular one, with very fragile ecosystems, and “certain behaviors irreversibly damage flora, fauna and geological heritage; that is why they must be persecuted. Hence the prohibited activities and reserve areas where it is not possible to access. He believes that vigilance is very important and that infractions are punished because “if not, we are giving a feeling of impunity.”
Finally, he values: «On this island we already live a million people who, together with the four of tourists before the pandemic, we cause unsustainable pressure on our already depleted nature». That is why he proposes “to understand and internalize the concept of limit.” Activities that cannot be practiced in certain areas or places where one cannot go “because massive and uncontrolled enjoyment can be an irreversible loss, for us and future generations.”
Coello acknowledges having received insults and threats, some reported, but understands that “it is the price to pay for defending our most precious heritage.” However, it remains “with citizen collaboration, which sends us a significant number of complaints every day within the Pasasinhuella framework.” It also highlights “open collaboration with environmental agents and technicians, as well as with the Civil Guard Seprona.”
From barbecues on Mount Teide to ‘artists’ in a protected area
From the Foundation they differentiate between the great atrocities, of impact, and the small ones that “by accumulation” become great. Coello values: “The Port of Granadilla occupies the top of the podium among the first due to the environmental damage it caused to be now practically empty.” He points to the Fonsalía project, which, he stresses, “seems to us to be a huge nonsense.” He considers “unworthy” the way to implement the new wind turbines in Arico, “by crushing soil of high environmental value, occupying a lot of land because it is dispersed and causing damage to cultural heritage.” As for the smaller area, he points out: «I am left with the barbecue of two young Germans in the Teide National Park or the deplorable state of the Barranco de Badajoz, in Güímar, within the Protected Landscape of Siete Lomas, with dozens of graffiti and engravings ». Without forgetting those made in the fossil dune of the Montaña Amarilla Natural Monument or «to the Ukrainian citizen who made a bonfire in Alto de Guajara in February and spent the confinement in the Site of Scientific Interest of La Caleta de Adeje, in the company of more of 150 people. When they were finally evicted they had devastated the flora, occupied the caves and left excrement everywhere. It also mentions “the destruction of some downhill cyclists in the Arafo volcano, ca across the country by a recent layer of picón (eruption of 1706)”
