The draft of the Master Plan for Use and Management (PRUG) of the Teide National Park is on public display. It has aroused reluctance and even a demonstration against it is called. The Ministry of Ecological Transition clarifies the most frequent doubts expressed on social networks about the document.
The draft of the new Governing Plan for Use and Management (PRUG) of the Teide National Park is on public display until July 5. It is the term to present allegations to a regulation that will regulate the natural space in the coming years. The document has aroused reticence and even outright rejection. Especially on social networks, where an anonymous platform calls for a demonstration in the Park itself this afternoon. The Ministry of Ecological Transition, Fight against Climate Change and Territorial Planning of the Government of the Canary Islands clarifies the main doubts detected. The decalogue of the new Teide.
Miguel Ángel Pérez, Deputy Minister, recalls that “interested persons and entities may consult the document, as well as make observations and suggestions”. Both in the registry of Santa Cruz and in the National Park Offices or through the web portal of the Ministry. In person, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The works for a new PRUG begin in 2018 in a coordinated manner between the Ministry and the Cabildo. This opens a participatory process not only to entities linked to the Park from its scientific and environmental perspective, but also to other groups, political parties and the general public. That phase lasts until 2020, when the first draft and the strategic evaluation begin. The Ministry decides that the document passes an environmental part that concludes at the end of last year.
Once these “four years of listening to society” have been collected, Pérez underlines, the draft of the PRUG is prepared, which is in public information. The vice-counselor insists that “this is the moment.” Pérez breaks down the decalogue of the issues that have sparked the most controversy.
Will access be allowed by private vehicle?
Yes, as until now. It will be limited in the future and at specific times, according to the Mobility Plan that the Cabildo must prepare when the PRUG is approved and the three planned shuttle areas in El Portillo, Vilaflor and Chío are enabled. The roads that cross will be open, but there will be parking areas at specific times of the day to avoid crowds of cars and buses.
What is the purpose of the shuttles?
Regulate access for those who want to enjoy the Park. Whoever goes up to do a mountaineering or other activity can do it in their car and park.
Is a dorsal road going to be cut?
None, because they are island roads of obligatory public service. Just like now, there will be exceptions; for example, in the Snowfall Operation organized by the Cabildo due to adverse meteorological phenomena.
Protecting and conserving a fragile natural area is one of the main objectives of the regulations
Will any amount be charged to residents and tourists?
The use and enjoyment of the Teide National Park will be free. You will only pay for certain services when they are required. In some time slots, regulated parking will have a fee, the same as if guides or some specific technical and scientific information are required. But to enjoy Teide you will not charge anything.
Will there be sports activities such as trail running?
As is the case now, mountaineering, caving or climbing, and foot races with fewer than 50 participants are allowed. In the 190 kilometers of the National Park you can run, but the novelty is that only 45 are allowed for federated sports use of running and not trail running. To preserve uses compatible with enjoyment for all. One person can run along the 190 kilometers of slopes but if they go with logistical equipment (doctor, provisioning…) it is limited to 45. 99% of those who go up Teide to run do it alone or at most two people do it .
Will there be differences between federated and non-federated sports?
Mountaineering, caving and climbing are practiced at all authorized points if you are a federation. Like now. If not, only in very specific places. Cycling will continue to be allowed on the road and on some tracks, not on the trails. The number of tracks is limited because it has been detected that many bike races today are held outside of them.
Will it be possible to travel with pets on the trails?
Pets are not allowed on Teide, nor in any other national park in the Canary Islands or in the State. Another thing is that it can be controlled. The transhumance of goats or horses, animals “as domestic as dogs”, is prohibited.
What measures are implemented for conservation?
All PRUG regulations go in this direction. Biodiversity conservation and public use. The goal is the dissemination of unique environmental values. Unesco reserve and monument, but without awareness of what that means. The PRUG tries to alleviate this ignorance and more so now with climate change whose effects are wreaking havoc there.
What new services will be offered?
When the PRUG is developed, guarded car parks with interpretation and information points. The shuttle system extends the radius of visits beyond the four or five kilometers of paths close to the vehicle. To run or go hiking, you can leave your car in the service areas, take the shuttle to go up, go a long way and go down. With a potential circuit in the 190 kilometers of tracks and trails. Together with the improvement of viewpoints and specialist guided routes. From geologists to astronomers or botanists.
Will any trail open today be closed?
It is not planned. They are and will be for public use.
Miguel Ángel Pérez recalls that “this draft can change” and defends the points chosen for the shuttles. He clarifies that the PRUG has nothing to do with the massive car parks on the sides of the roads when it snows on Teide. He believes that it is “a problem of awareness and respect for the environment.”
More participation and better writing
Demonstration on Saturday, June 4, Roques de Gracias (sic), 5:30 p.m., for the closure of the Teide National Park. The anonymous message adds that “you will not be able to play sports, take pets or go hiking” to end with the phrase “the Park belongs to everyone”. Collectives of the solvency and rigor of the Mountaineering Federation or the Telesforo Bravo-Juan Coello Foundation do not support the mobilization. Pedro Millán, leader of the federation at the national level, announces that they will present allegations against the plan because they consider that “it suffers from errors, which affect traditional activities such as mountaineering.” He understands that “it must have greater participation and improve the writing.” For him “it is time to rectify and we hope it will be done through the substantiated and reasonable allegations that we will present.” He values that “many people practice sports on Teide and this plan limits the possibility.” They do not support the demonstration because “I don’t like anonymous, unsigned posters.” He thinks that this is not the way. Jaime Coello, from the Telesforo Bravo-Juan Coello Foundation, has just denounced another act of vandalism inside the Park: a bonfire. He believes that “it cannot continue like this”. Regarding the demonstration, the Foundation denounces on its social networks “a campaign of intoxication and manipulation of the public information process of the draft.” He stresses that “without showing their faces, they try to direct public opinion against the document.” He explains that “now we analyze it and formulate the appropriate arguments for the purpose for which the Park was created: to defend its natural heritage and preserve its archaeological values.” The Foundation calls for participation in the claims process “to prevent the degradation of our most emblematic natural space from continuing.” Precisely because the Park belongs to everyone, he requests not to sign any petition or attend an act “convened under false pretenses” because the new PRUG allows “to continue doing sports and hiking or bringing pets.” Coello invites you to consult the draft and formulate the allegations but also to “not fall into manipulation” by those who “do not know the Park and demonstrate it from the name of the meeting point: Roque Gracias, which will be Roques de García”. | jdm
