The announcement of a Master Plan for the Use and Management of the Teide National Park (PRUG) has generated controversy among Canarians: the project establishes that, since its approval, access to the highest peak in Spain will be restricted for both tourists and the local population. The intention, as explained by the director of the park, Manuel Durbán, is to avoid traffic jams and promote public and collective transport instead of car use.
To public information the use and management plan of the Teide National Park
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Although environmentalists have welcomed this measure, the truth is that a sector of the population sees their freedom to climb Mount Teide, play sports in the park or walk their pets around the volcano curtailed. For this reason, a demonstration has been called this Saturday, which will start in Los Roques de García (although in the image of the call they put thanks), at 5:30 p.m., under the premise that “Teide National Park belongs to everyone”.
For the Telesforo Bravo and Juan Coello Foundation, a firm defender of environmental causes on the islands, the call is based on “false premises.” “Precisely because the park belongs to everyone, we ask you not to sign any petition, nor of course go to this act convened under false pretenses. With the new PRUG it will be possible to continue playing sports, taking pets and hiking”, they stated on their social networks.
The Foundation also invited its followers to consult the draft of the Plan, “which is in public information”, and make any allegations deemed appropriate. They also asked “not to fall into manipulation by people who know nothing about the Park and prove it with lies or with the name of the meeting point: Roque Gracias (the correct thing is Roques de García)”
The plan, which is not definitive for now, was provisionally approved by the Canary Islands National Parks Commission, which held a meeting on March 30, and despite the abstention of the Presidency of the Board of Trustees of this Park. All information about the project was made public on May 23 and You can consult and make suggestions within a period of 30 days.
It should be remembered that the National Park occupies an area of 18,817 hectares that extends over 16 of the 31 municipalities of Tenerife and is one of the areas protected by the European Union for its importance in the preservation of biodiversity. However, until now there is no control for its conservation.
In an interview conducted by Canarias Now with the director of the Park, it is noted that the closure of the accesses to Teide is totally ruled out. “It is not possible since the roads are public and used by Canarians to move between municipalities.” What this plan seeks is that parking is not allowed at the viewpoints in the busiest time slot. “If this doesn’t stop now, it’s going to get worse,” he explained. Regarding the prices to arrive by public transport, he announced that there will be different rates for Canarians and tourists.
