The officials from Environment of the Cabildo de Tenerife lodged 906 reports for environmental violations in 2024, marking an increase of 37.8% compared to the previous year. Out of this total, 612 were dealt with by the Insular Corporation, while 294 were forwarded to appropriate authorities for processing, including the Canarian Agency for Protection of the Natural Environment, the State Air Security Agency and the Prosecutor’s Office.
Specifically, there were 114 reports concerning infractions in protected natural areas, such as unauthorised camping, activities conducted without permission, breaching regulations, off-track movement, violations related to forest fire prevention, as well as the dumping and abandonment of materials and waste, as detailed by the Cabildo in an official statement.
The remaining infractions pertain to hunting activities, environmental conservation, forest services, livestock and pasture management, and activities occurring within Teide National Park.
The penalties imposed vary according to the type of infraction committed. For instance, lighting a fire in a protected natural space with significant risk to its integrity may incur a fine of up to 6,000 euros. Additionally, driving, stopping, or parking a vehicle—motorised or not—off designated paths in protected natural areas (due to potential risks for pedestrians) can result in a fine ranging from 1,500 to 6,000 euros.
The penalty for staging a profit-making event without the necessary permissions is set at 600 euros, whereas camping in an exclusion or restricted-use zone can lead to a penalty of 400 euros.
Unauthorised burning of agricultural waste may result in fines varying from 700 to 1,000 euros, depending on factors such as proximity to woodland and the oversight of burning activities, while hunting during the closed season can incur a fine of 1,000 euros.
Unauthorised Party in Adeje Caleta
The Cabildo de Tenerife has released this information following the announcement of plans to initiate a penalty procedure against the organiser of an unauthorised party held last Friday at Diego Hernández beach (Adeje), who could face fines for conducting the event in a protected natural area, potentially amounting to 6,000 euros.
This amount would be in addition to the sanctions that may be applied for breaching the Citizen Security Law, with fines ranging from 601 euros up to 600,000 euros, depending on the severity and specifics of the offence.
ATAN’s Collective Complaint
The Tenerife Friends of Nature Association (ATAN) had raised concerns on its ‘Instagram’ account regarding the aforementioned illegal party. Their post showcased images from the gathering in question, expressing that “the competent authorities arrived but took no action.”
In this context, they queried “what measures Rosa Dávila (president of the Cabildo de Tenerife) is taking to manage access to natural spaces.” They questioned: “Will you address this issue with cameras instead of personnel as in Teide? Will access be restricted without considering that these individuals are tourists?”
In response, the island director of the Cabildo, Pedro Millán, clarified that once the institution was informed about the event, he alerted the Civil Guard and the Local Police of Adeje, “who deployed six patrols, identified the organisers, and undertook the necessary procedures.”
He emphasised the importance of responsibility in the messages communicated to the public through social networks and the media, asserting that “it is untrue that public bodies and administrations did nothing.”
“From the very first moment we reported the situation, the Civil Guard and the Local Police of Adeje responded promptly. It is unacceptable to imply that they failed to act, as that misrepresents the facts and undermines the actions and professionalism of the State Security Forces and Bodies,” he concluded.
