The Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature (ATAN) has characterised the draft Budget for the Canary Islands in 2025 as a “new irresponsibility, moral and intellectual degradation,” particularly condemning the inclusion of a measure to “strain” the comprehensive handover of the Teide National Park to the Cabildo de Tenerife, “nothing less” than the authority responsible for the “chaos and environmental decline” the park has experienced since it assumed management and conservation responsibilities in 2015 for a decade.
In a statement, ATAN contends that this “bestowal” for a “catastrophic” administration of the Teide National Park, “a cherished emblem of the island, is occurring during a time of “prosperity” for environmental disorder, executed through “numerous illicit actions” and irresponsible mass tourism.
ATAN asserts that this mass tourism has been promoted by the current governing team at the Cabildo of Tenerife, led by Rosa Dávila, “who operates alongside influencers like the prominent Youtuber, The Grefg (a tax resident in Andorra), and the newly appointed island director of the Natural Environment, an expert in animation and leisure activities, yet disastrous for the conservation and governance of the environment.
According to ATAN, “this emblem of Tenerife is entrusted to the very island government that has held captive” the Master Plan for Use and Management (PRUG) of the National Park, evidently with the intent to introduce and endorse practices and activities that are likely to transform it into an amusement park.
The association highlights that over a year has elapsed since the consultation and public information stages for that document were completed, yet it remains unapproved by the Government of the Canary Islands, “presumably due to the obstruction imposed by the Cabildo to impose its festive agenda.”
ATAN indicates that what “the Cabildo is focused on are festivities, sporting events, night excursions, film productions or the management and operation of the cable car, in which they hold a controlling interest.”
The Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature believes that the management of the Teide National Park “has never declined to such a level, resulting in a concerning environmental degradation of its values.”
Furthermore, to “finalise this assault on Teide,” a “back door” has been exploited in the Parliament of the Canary Islands, hidden and lacking transparency, akin to the traditional strategy of introducing legislative changes on sensitive or socially unacceptable matters that impact environmental conservation via fiscal laws or economic measures, such as budget laws or accompanying legislation.
ATAN appeals to the Parliament of the Canary Islands, which is seemingly also “held captive” by the Cabildo of Tenerife, to exercise accountability and foremost, to honour the environmental values of the Teide National Park, and to rescind that eighth final clause of the budget draft.
The association additionally urges the Government of the Canary Islands to reclaim the delegation of powers from the Cabildo concerning the National Park due to severe failures in the preservation of this significant, specially protected area of Tenerife.
Should this not occur, ATAN calls on UNESCO to revoke the diploma of the national park, and will encourage the National Parks Organisation (OAPN) to take action to reclaim the powers previously assigned to the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands for similar reasons, due to their “carelessness” in allowing the management of Teide National Park to remain with the Cabildo.