The Ministry of Ecological Transition, Fight against Climate Change and Territorial Planning of the Government of the Canary Islands authorizes the Council of Tenerife to execute the restoration project of the Site of Scientific Interest in La Caleta de Adeje. Thus it consists in a resolution issued by the Regional Executive’s Deputy Ministry of Territorial Planning and Water. The Councilor for the Area, José Antonio Valbuena, explains that, with this authorization, the Island Corporation will carry out the maintenance, signaling and intervention work aimed at preserving this protected territory.
Valbuena explains that this permit is part of the powers assumed by the Government of Canary Islands since January this year, when he took charge of the planning and management functions of the coastline. In fact, this type of authorization was requested by the Cabildo from the General Directorate of the Coast and the Sea – dependent on the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge – until the moment of the transfer of powers.
Leopoldo Díaz, Deputy Minister of Territorial Planning and Water, signs the document that grants the license for act in an easement zone for the protection of the maritime-terrestrial public domaintaking into account that the work to be carried out involves an improvement and protection of the easement of transit and protection, according to the Canarian Government.
Authorizing is among the powers of the Executive in terms of coasts
The authorized actions that will be carried out by the Cabildo de Tenerife will consist, specifically, in proceeding with the beacons and placing the signage, as well as the removal, definition and improvement of the existing paths, in addition to carrying out the work to adapt the viewpoints and, of course, undertake the removal of waste and the restoration of areas that are degraded.
In the concession announced by the Minister of Ecological Transition, which is valid for two years, it is highlighted that the work authorized by the regional Executive should not constitute an obstacle to the exercise of transit rights and access to the sea. In the same way, for the execution of the works, the holder of the authorization (Cabildo de Tenerife) may not occupy any space in the maritime-terrestrial public domain.
Evictions
On July 14, 2020, the most relevant eviction of this Site of Scientific Interest took place. The Cabildo supervised the action, coordinated by the Ministry of Natural Environment and Security together with the Adeje City Council, the Government of the Canary Islands, Coasts and the Government Delegation. That Tuesday, 1,800 tons of rubble, plastic, belongings, clothing, wood debris and palm leaves were removed from La Caleta, as well as all kinds of garbage. 29 large, 38 medium-sized and 55 small cabins and caves were dismantled.
Since then, attempts to reoccupy this place have not stopped. The last one occurred on January 28 and 29., when about thirty young people held a party using a high-powered stereo and even a generator. In the environment there were several groups of people camped using about twenty booths.
