Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 21 Feb. (Europa Press) –
The Ministry of Ecological Transition and Energy of the Canary Islands’ Government has endorsed this Friday the new Forestry Plan for the Canary Islands during the recent Autonomous Environmental Evaluation Commission (CAEA). This document is intended to be “crucial” for ensuring the preservation of forest resources and their adaptation to contemporary climatic challenges.
Following its passage through the CAEA, a vital requirement to “ensure its environmental viability”, the document must be presented to the Governing Council for its ultimate approval, as disclosed in a statement by the advisor to the Mariano H. Zapata area.
He has already highlighted the public information phase associated with this document, asserting that “it is the outcome of a participative and consensus-based process involving the forestry technical sector, governmental bodies, and the public, which ensures the implementation of realistic and effective measures.”
Zapata emphasised the “necessity” of having an updated document, as the current forest plan does not adequately address modern forestry and environmental challenges.
Furthermore, according to the Ministry, the forestry plan for the Canary Islands outlines the forestry strategy and delineates action lines for the next 21 years, incorporating planned initiatives over time and periodic assessment mechanisms every seven years.
Among its primary objectives are the proactive conservation of ecosystems, sustainable forest management, and the encouragement of responsible and recreational use of the natural environment.
In summary, the plan aims to “protect, enhance, and value” the forest zones of the islands, which total over 578,227 hectares (78%), of which 25% constitutes forested area, with the Canarian pine being the predominant species at 61% in the Canarian mountains.
Other Initiatives
The Ecological Transition Councillor reminded that the Canary Islands Government is also concurrently engaging in two additional initiatives related to the conservation and management of the mountains, including the future Montes de Canarias law and amendments to the Decree on Fire Prevention and Extinction in forestry.
Regarding the forthcoming Montes law, procedures have already commenced and will be developed following the National Forestry Law, with an initial draft anticipated during this legislature after the prior public consultation phase. The text focuses on safeguarding the islands’ specificities regarding forestry and environmental issues, aligned with the new challenges posed by climate change and forest fires.
Additionally, the Ministry states that the revision and modification of the Decree Law regulating the prevention and extinction of forest fires and interface areas will update the current 2001 decree, enhancing its relevance to the current regulatory framework. Once the Montes Law is enacted, it will encompass this decree, with plans for approval expected throughout this year 2025 following the completion of the draft text.
