The Tenerife Council has issued a statement positively regarding the cancellation of a protest that was set to take place in the heart of the Teide National Park, one of the most sensitive and protected areas in the Canary Islands. The local government believes that this decision reflects sound judgement, highlighting that the event lacked the necessary legal approvals.
Breach of national park regulations
The Council reminds us that any extraordinary activity within a national park, such as Teide, must be authorised according to technical and legal standards, including prior consultation with the National Park Board, responsible for protecting the area. They assert this step was overlooked by the organisers.
Both the Council and the park’s Director of Conservation issued negative reports, citing legal, technical, operational, and safety concerns. The Council views allowing the protest in such a location as setting a dangerous precedent that could justify future gatherings in environmentally fragile areas.
Teide as a cultural and natural emblem
The statement highlights that Teide National Park is not only a unique natural site but also a symbol of identity for the people of Tenerife and the Canary Islands. Consequently, the Council argues for preserving its neutrality against any exploitation of the area, even if the protest’s reasons are legitimate.
Additionally, the Council emphasises the need for strict legal application in protecting these areas, as Teide holds the highest environmental protection status in Spain, having been declared a national park in 1954 and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. Further details on these protections can be found via the Ministry for Ecological Transition’s National Parks Agency.
The right to protest, preserved in an alternative location
Far from opposing assembly or protest rights, the Council affirms its support for constitutional principles upholding freedom of expression. As an alternative, the organisers were offered the chance to hold the protest at El Portillo de La Villa, within the Corona Forestal Natural Park, an area with a more suitable protection status for such activities.
This location hosted a gathering in 2022 without conflicts or environmental damage. Additionally, they note there was no disruption to traffic on the TF-21 road, vital for the national park’s logistical operations, as well as visitor, employee, and emergency service access.
Protecting against improper use of natural surroundings
The Council concludes that safeguarding Teide as a natural space free from political or social conflict is crucial for ensuring its ecological integrity and cultural significance for current and future generations.
Therefore, the protest’s cancellation aligns with national park conservation principles and reinforces the sustainable management model applied in one of Spain’s most-visited natural settings.
