Natural Environment and Sustainability, this time it has been entrusted with a crucial responsibility for the future of the Island and its citizens. How do you tackle the work in such a sensitive and cross-cutting area?
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Working as a team. When the president, Rosa Dávila, assigned me the area, it was clear that we have to work consensually because it is a very important issue that affects many groups. We must work hand in hand with technicians and citizens, adapting to new times and always respecting the law. This does not mean that we should not make firm decisions, as we have done with the declaration of a water emergency, for example.
There are many companies and administrations that have raised the flag of the SDGs in a marketing way but without really addressing profound changes that guarantee sustainability in its three dimensions, social, environmental, and economic. If you had to argue that the Cabildo is not engaging in greenwashing, how would you justify it?
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We are in the age of marketing and labeling things, but I prefer working in the field, on a day-to-day basis and with people. The reality is that we come from four years of disastrous waste management by the PSOE, and now we will be able to reverse that situation. We have entered a new phase at the Cabildo, with a contract worth around 397 million Euros for the next 15 years, which had practically come to a halt. We are working on projects that will enhance Tenerife’s Environmental Complex and make our waste management much more efficient, allowing us to begin to restore Tenerife to its deserved position. We can move towards a circular economy and recycle the highest possible number of waste that reaches our transfer plants.
The most visible part of the SDGs is the environmental sphere and there are several issues that concern your area, firstly drought. What does it mean for your area when it does not rain and there are no water reserves in reservoirs and ponds? What would happen today if there was a fire?
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The water problem is very serious, mainly because there has been no rainfall. That is precisely why we have declared a water emergency. Of the 75 planned measures, 67 are already in progress, so that we can address the situation of extreme drought affecting Tenerife and, especially, the agricultural sector. This will allow us to provide around 12,000 cubic meters more of water flow per day starting from July, and 80%, that is, around 9,000 cubic meters, will be allocated for agricultural use.
I want to highlight the work of all the personnel at the Insular Water Council of Tenerife, which will allow us to deliver approximately 60,000 cubic meters of water per day in less than a year, increasing the water flow supply by more than 10% for the general population and 25% for the agricultural sector. This will be possible thanks to the collaboration of Balten (Tenerife Ponds), some municipalities on the island, and the private sector as holders of underground water rights and desalination plants.
What measures are being taken to prevent losses in the pipelines? Although I understand that this has much more to do with Agriculture…
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The losses vary depending on the municipalities, but we are already taking steps to address this issue. We have installed flow meters to measure water losses in the irrigation supply, and it is true that some infrastructures are in very poor condition and need to be replaced or repaired. For this, the Cabildo has allocated 2 million Euros to continue assisting municipalities in minimizing losses. We aim to end or minimize as much as possible the recurring water losses in municipal networks, for which a plan is required, following a report from the municipalities. This is the main comprehensive measure, along with optimizing agricultural irrigation, as well as the desalination and purification plants in operation, to mitigate the drought in the countryside in Tenerife.
Let’s talk about the Mid-mountain Plan in which 2.9 million Euros will be invested to help prevent fires and improve biodiversity.
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Tenerife’s Mid-mountain Plan is an ambitious initiative on the Cabildo’s agenda aimed at being a tool for fire prevention and improving people’s safety in the interface area. This is the term for the borderline strip between the forest and agricultural or urban areas in some cases. Last year, we had to evacuate due to the fire. Now we want these areas to become a natural barrier against fires with citizen collaboration where we seek to reduce the load of vegetation fuel.
Through Tenerife’s Mid-mountain Plan, we will advise the owners and residents of these critical areas on self-protection measures for their homes and estates against forest fires. President Rosa Dávila firmly supports this project, which involves reducing risks for people in the event of a fire. This is the most important thing, as 25% of the island’s population lives in the mid-mountains.
Dealing with Fires and Forest Management in Tenerife
There is a recurring message – and I’m not sure if it’s biased – but it’s becoming less credible because people in the countryside know that collecting pine needles is not prohibited. It is allowed, but in an organized manner. You just need to request a permit from the local councils or the Cabildo itself. The areas are zoned and the material can be collected for use in agriculture or livestock farming. It is essential for citizens to know this in order to dispel myths and understand that in 90% of the forests in Tenerife, pine needle collection is allowed (exceptions are Integral Nature Reserves due to their biodiversity).
The Eradication of Monterey Pine
Monterey pine was introduced in the 1940s for its fast-growing properties. It was seen as an industrial opportunity based on the standards of the time and this continued until the 1970s, but it came at the expense of the elimination of large areas of laurel forest and Canarian pine. The areas affected by the implementation of Monterey pine were about 2,000 hectares, of which there are now around 300 left after the last fire.
Monterey pine is a species of extreme weakness and highly flammable, making it a safety problem for people and property. For years, we have been carrying out an eradication plan to restore the laurel forest and Canary pine areas that were affected by the foreign pine plantations for decades. Our goal is for the endemic forests to once again take the spotlight because they are native to our land and are more fire-resistant.
Reviving Traditional Practices: Grazing for Fire Prevention
There is an initiative that may not be considered innovative, but it does revive ancient customs: grazing in the forest to control weeds and reduce the risk of fires. Why has this practice been allowed again? Wasn’t it banned in some areas because goats and sheep could end up destroying native plant species at risk of extinction?
When it comes to goats and sheep, there are always controversies. Obviously, if the livestock is in the mid-mountain areas and clears fuel without affecting the endemic flora, then it is welcome. What we cannot allow, and everyone will agree on this, is the elimination of native species. They are certainly helpful in cleaning up the forests, but it must be done in an orderly and controlled manner.
Conservation Efforts in Teide National Park
The relationship with hunters has always been good, and now it’s even more harmonious. There are specific plans for the mouflons and rabbits because we have to protect Teide National Park. There are specific dates and areas for these campaigns.
Tackling Fire Risks Posed by Smokers in Recreational Areas
A large percentage of fires start due to these types of carelessness, and we must continue to insist on avoiding any activity that could lead to a fire. It is not just reckless, but also reflects on poor manners and lack of awareness. This is an issue we have to keep working on, and in fact, we are considering banning smoking in the forests – including trails, recreational areas, and viewpoints – to prevent any incidents. It is also important to instil habits from an early age through the environmental education programs we carry out.
