The GOVERNMENT COUNCIL of the island approved an economic allocation of 5.1 million euros aimed at replenishing the forest areas affected by the significant fire in the mountains of Arafo and Candelaria, which remained active from August to November 2023. This incident devastated approximately 15,000 hectares of land and impacted 12 municipalities, four of which will benefit from the measures adopted to mitigate the effects of the forest fire. The restoration of the mountain has a dependable ally, the Canarian pine, a native species that exhibits greater resilience to flames and will facilitate the removal of radiata pine, Californian varieties, and other non-native imports.
Restoration.
The department of natural environment, sustainability, and security and emergencies within the council is advancing this 5.1 million euro initiative for the environmental restoration of the mountains of Tacoronte, La Victoria de Acentejo, Santa Úrsula, and La Orotava affected by the devastating fire of 2023.
The project includes the management of dead biomass (removal, extraction, and collection), as well as the replacement of areas occupied by the affected radiata pine, a non-native species, with replanting using indigenous species instead. The execution period for the project is set at 42 months, segmented into two phases: the first lasting 36 months, while the second is allocated six months.
Information.
Following the Governing Council’s approval of the project, the subsequent step involves requesting Reports and authorisations from the aforementioned municipalities, in addition to the management authority of the protected natural area and the insular counselling of historical heritage. The proposal will then be subject to a 20-day public information period prior to final approval.
Objective.
José Miguel Ruano, the Second Vice President of the Cabildo, Minister of the Presidency among other roles, and spokesperson for the Canarian coalition, shared insights during a press conference held after the Governing Council, alongside the first vice president, Lope Afonso, while President Rosa Dávila was in Gran Canaria attending a meeting with the Secretary of State for Transportation. Ruano noted that “the goal is the sustainable recovery of the forest area, using the Canarian pine as the foundation for replanting instead of the imported radiata.” He acknowledged “the efforts in challenging zones characterised by steep gradients in the north of the island” and indicated that “this investment might see an increase with additional funding in the forthcoming months, if necessary.”
«In a year and a half of the mandate, we have invested a record 38 million euros in housing»
Lope Afonso
– First vice president of the Cabildo de Tenerife
Employment for youth.
The Government Council has approved the Tenerife employment programme for 2024/2025, aimed at enhancing the training of 117 young individuals registered within the National Youth Guarantee System. This initiative is supported by IASS inforemias, boasting a total investment of 1.8 million euros. José Miguel Ruano stated that the aim of this programme is “to enhance the employability of unemployed individuals lacking basic education or professional qualifications” through a scheme that encourages both labour and social inclusion, facilitating access to education, vocational training, or professional certifications, while also providing valuable work experience, thereby aiding in the reduction of social exclusion among the most vulnerable demographics.
Free allocation.
Within the Historical Heritage sector, the Insular Governing Council has sanctioned the free transfer of the building known as the house of the counts of La Gomera or the stone house to the Garachico City Council for its conversion into an interpretation centre for the eruption of the Black Arenas Volcano. This property, dating back to the 17th century, holds significant historical value and is situated within the historic ensemble of Garachico, designated as a Cultural Asset of Interest (BIC).
Investment.
Moreover, in the planning sector, the commission to the specialised public entity of the Cartographic Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands (Grafcan) has been approved to enhance and modernise the corporate geographical information system. This tool is indispensable for territorial planning, heritage management, urban development, and environmental preservation.
Housing.
The Council has given its approval for an island allocation of 4.4 million euros for the construction of 134 social housing units in the southern region of the island. Lope Afonso hailed this as a “historic investment record” during the present term (2023-2027) of CC and PP, with a total allocation of “38.5 million euros.”
“Our aim is the sustainable recovery of the forest area, underpinned by the Canarian pine.”
José M. Ruano
– Second Vice President of the Cabildo de Tenerife
Historical Agreement.
The Governing Council has ratified the agreement between the Cabildos de Tenerife and La Palma to create a stable framework for the exchange of experiences, collaborative participation for project initiatives, and the achievement of shared objectives relevant to their respective territories.
This agreement seeks to outline the main principles of cooperation between the two councils to facilitate knowledge transfer, guidance, research, training, or any other collaborative projects or activities that would ultimately benefit both islands, thereby enhancing public services available to citizens and their quality of life.
The note. Sunday concentration
«Respectable, but poorly timed»
The vice president and tourism councillor of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Lope Afonso, commented yesterday regarding the concentration planned for this Sunday near the Mencey Hotel in Santa Cruz, called by the Canary platform which has a limit. He argued that “it is not being held at a particularly opportune time” as it coincides with a meeting that “will be significant, given that it encompasses a notable segment of the German professional tourism industry.” Afonso also expressed his belief that the gathering will proceed with “absolute normality”, stating that “when the right is exercised correctly,” there should be no “security inconvenience.” “We respect it just as we do with other calls,” the island and political vice president of the Popular Party added. The Canary Social Platform has a limit scheduled this Sunday at 11:30 am at the Ramblas de Santa Cruz, in a protest against the FVW Travel Talk Congress for the German tourism sector, which is set to be held in the capital. The Telesforo Bravo Foundation, part of the platform, warns on social media that “mass tourism is ruining the Canary Islands” with a “wholly unsustainable figure” of nearly 18 million tourists last year (6 million in Tenerife).
