The alarming and concerning news regarding the rescue of over 130 individuals in Las Cañadas del Teide last weekend, despite the fact that the severe weather conditions affecting the peaks of Tenerife were officially reported well in advance, are far from being an isolated incident. This has resulted in a significant increase in complaints related to environmental infringements submitted by various public officials across the Island this year, with expectations that they may reach nearly a thousand by the end of December. In contrast, a total of 657 complaints were recorded in 2023.
To provide some context, official sources informed this publication yesterday that complaints filed by the Nature Protection Service (Seprona) of the Civil Guard have doubled in comparison to last year, while those reported by the Canarian Police have tripled.
Moreover, the complaints lodged with the Environmental agents of the Cabildo de Tenerife are nearing 400, as indicated by the insular Corporation during an Environmental Crime Investigation course conducted for these agents. This training was led by Rafael Ruiz Ibáñez, the provincial prosecutor delegate for the Environment, alongside professionals from Catalonia, Madrid, and Tenerife.
This issue is far from trivial, as some of these cases bear criminal implications. To date, there have been eight instances this year concerning the penalties suggested by the forestry agents of the Cabildo. Since 2016, they have investigated and reported a total of 44 criminal cases, as stated by Rafael Ruiz Ibáñez during the aforementioned course.
Turning our attention to the situation in Las Cañadas, Ayose Molina, the spokesperson for the Association of Forestry and Environmental Agents of the Canary Islands (Afmacan), reminded this publication yesterday that the allocation of agents from the Cabildo remains woefully inadequate, with only five professionals dedicated to monitoring an area of almost 190 square kilometres that receives between 12,000 and 14,000 visitors each day.
The Tenerife Cabildo, recognising this situation, currently has a recruitment process underway to introduce 25 new positions across the entire Island, with the aim of having these professionals in place by summer next year.
It is noteworthy that, as of January 1, the transfer of powers to the Cabildo will be finalised. This institution affirmed to DIARIO DE AVISOS yesterday that its strategy includes continuing to bolster its team of environmental agents beyond this forthcoming enhancement, as well as improving their training.
In light of these circumstances, coordination is crucial. Both the island councillor for the area, Blanca Pérez, and the director of the Natural Environment, Pedro Millán, advocate for enhanced collaborative efforts with the aforementioned prosecutor Rafael Ruiz and with the security forces and agencies dedicated to the protection of the island’s natural environment.
