Saturday, June 7, 08:00 hours, area of the Roques de García in the National Park of Teide. The D-day and H-hour of the protest gathering called by the Platform Canarias has a limit against the economic development model. It continues despite the refusal of the Tenerife Council which was made public a week ago by its president, Rosa Dávila and a negative report from the technicians of the main protected natural space of the Island and the Canary Islands.
The Government Subdelegation ratified the authorization, a decision that the Island Corporation “accepts but does not share,” according to the councilor of Natural Environment, Blanca Pérez. All this after the state governmental body rejected the proposed option to move the protest to the nearby El Portillo de la Villa, located within the Crown Forestal Natural Park.
Manifestation of the 18M in Tenerife of ‘Canarias has a limit’ / Arturo Jiménez
Alternative
Sources from the Council explain that this alternative location, close to the initially planned place, offers better logistical conditions and does not interfere with main traffic. They emphasize that “the call includes partially closing the TF-21 road for six hours, which is essential for the daily operation of the National Park”.
The proposal, they add, “aimed to allow the development of the gathering under conditions that would not compromise the security or organization of the Park itself”. In this sense, its director, Manuel Durbán issued a negative report detailing that such events require specific processing”. They emphasize that “Teide is not just a protected area but a symbol for this Island, for all the people of Tenerife, and national parks represent the highest figure of environmental protection in Spain”.
Comply
“Obviously we do not share the decision of the Government Subdelegation, although we comply with it” highlights Blanca Pérez. She considers that “it is not acceptable to authorize this demonstration after the reports from the park itself, they are not from this councilor or the president of the Council but from the technicians who conclude it should not be held”. The councilor recalls the alternative of El Portillo, outside the National Park, “but that appeal was not considered”.
In any case, she adds, “we find it as incoherent on the part of the Subdelegation as from the ecological organizations”. She argues: “I believe protesting to save nature by trampling on nature is not acceptable”. Blanca Pérez believes that “the Teide National Park is an emblem of this Island that does not deserve to be turned into an ideological and political weapon”. She emphasizes: “I believe there are other places to demonstrate about the claims you want to make”.
Symbol
Pérez values that “the Teide National Park is a symbol, but not only that, it is the natural space of the highest level from an ecological point of view and I think it is not acceptable for these situations to occur”. The councilor reminds that “especially considering that the Tenerife Council has been making significant efforts to regulate access to Teide and we are working on a mobility plan to control them”.
Ecotaxes
The also councilor of Sustainability, Security and Emergencies points out that “the ecotaxes we are going to implement in the park will mean a before and after for its operation. The access to the Peak already is, to overcome the absolute overcrowding of recent years which this Council has controlled with measures”.
Rosa Dávila, president of the Council, with two Teide defenders, Wolfredo Wildpret and Isidoro Sánchez. / E.D.
Categorical
Rosa Dávila was categorical a few days ago in rejecting the initiative. She stated that the Teide “is not a backdrop for ideological battles, nor a theme park, nor a demonstration center, but a natural sanctuary to be respected and protected”. She emphasized that “protesting for the nature while pushing nature to its limits is an unacceptable contradiction”. She deepened that “a gathering in the heart of the National Park is not an act of love for the land, it is recklessness”. She concluded: “This call is a grave mistake that discredits those who promote it and endangers a natural space of very high ecological value.
Silent
Sources from the Subdelegation defended the impossibility of prohibiting the concentration. Meanwhile, the convening groups clarify that the protest will consist of crossing the TF-21 from La Ruleta to the Parador, on a round trip during an action “respectful and conscious” with the environment. Visitors will be asked to respect the park’s values, not to park outside official parking spaces or walk off the trails. The march will be silent on asphalt or sidewalk, without the use of loudspeakers, shouting or slogans, or banners fixed to the ground.
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