Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 17th Feb. (Europa Press) –
The Cabildo de Tenerife has replanted over 30,000 trees to rehabilitate the areas impacted by the devastating summer fire of 2023.
The president of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila; the Minister for Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez; the island director of the natural environment, Pedro Millán; the mayor of El Sauzal, Mariano Pérez; and the planning and forestry projects technician, Eva Padrón, visited on Monday to observe the activities carried out near the recreational area of Calderetas (El Sauzal), taking part in a replanting initiative.
Rosa Dávila noted that over 30,000 saplings have been planted, with the aim of reaching 40,000 species by the end of February, in an effort to reforest around 500 hectares of the northern region of Tenerife.
“We are removing Pino Radiata, an invasive species, and replacing it with Monteverde, which are native and more fire-resistant. Additionally, we are planting some non-tree species, such as the bicacaro (Canarina canariensis), which is a distinctive species of laurisilva areas,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Blanca Pérez explained that the replanting of native species in Monteverde serves a dual purpose.
On one hand, it restores a section of the mountain previously occupied by Radiata pine, an introduced invasive species, thus safeguarding the indigenous vegetation. On the other hand, Monteverde functions as a natural firebreak, as its species are resilient and retain moisture, capturing water from both rainfall and cloud cover.
Mariano Pérez emphasised the importance of engaging citizens in these efforts, as it provides an opportunity to learn about local species and the initiatives being undertaken to recover the forest affected by the fire.
The actions are taking place in the mass of Pinar de Monterrey (Pinus Radiata) and span an area of 505 hectares across the municipalities of El Sauzal, La Matanza, La Orotava, La Victoria, Los Realejos, Santa Úrsula, and Tacoronte.
This initiative represents an investment of approximately 1.5 million euros and is being carried out by the public company Tragsa.
The Cabildo has repopulated the area impacted by the significant fire in 2023 mainly with tree species such as heather, bay laurel, daughter, vinake, and blood to establish tree coverage that shields the soil from erosion while restoring the affected land.
