Drago Verdes Canarias will present a motion this Wednesday to the Plenary Session of La Laguna City Council (Tenerife) aimed at restricting access to Anaga Rural Park for private vehicles intended for tourist use, while prioritising access for local residents due to escalating tourist pressure in the area and complaints from the community.
In addition to these two measures, it has also been suggested to establish a study with quantifiable metrics to facilitate decision-making, the drafting of a municipal ordinance to regulate public transport in Anaga, and the creation of a working group, as stated by the organisation.
Carmen Peña, the councillor of Drago Verdes Canarias, reminded everyone that a similar initiative was rejected over a year ago. “The political parties that have governed and continue to govern the Canary Islands talk passionately about protecting our natural areas, but when it comes to implementing bold actions, they retreat,” she commented.
“If tourist activities are pressuring the land, then the responses must be directed towards tourists. We are not opposed to them; rather, we advocate for regulations on natural spaces that safeguard both the environment and the local inhabitants,” stated the councillor.
Peña further noted that the formation arises from local residents’ complaints “who cannot board the bus to return home because it is overcrowded with tourist groups,” as well as “the sight of rental cars parked in prohibited zones, even within the park itself.”
“Drago Verdes Canarias is not going to turn a blind eye as long as these circumstances persist,” the councillor insisted.
Differentiate Between Residents and Tourists
The proposal from Drago Verdes Canarias primarily aims to initiate a continuous and methodical study on the individuals visiting and utilising the park, employing quantifiable and clearly defined metrics to facilitate the implementation of targeted measures, explicitly distinguishing between the local populace, residents, and tourists.
Moreover, it will encourage the relevant public authorities in the Canary Islands to recognise the intrinsic differences between tourists and local residents, and to implement measures that favour access for locals while adhering to the scientific and measurable constraints dictated by conservation.
This initiative calls for the municipal government to develop the necessary mechanisms and infrastructure to restrict private tourist vehicles’ access to Anaga Rural Park from the municipality, establishing a maximum daily quota that aligns with the park’s conservation requirements.
In the interim, until these mechanisms and infrastructure are effective, it is also proposed to limit the circulation of private vehicles for tourist use within La Laguna City Council and restrict parking during the week, particularly on weekends.
The coalition also urges the Government of the Canary Islands, the Cabildo de Tenerife, and the La Laguna City Council to enhance the accessibility of public transport within the park.
Furthermore, a request is made for the development of a municipal ordinance aimed at regulating public transport within Anaga, which would put in place restrictions and limitations on its utilisation by tourism companies.
Additionally, the Cabildo de Tenerife and the Canary Islands government are encouraged to implement specific restrictions on tourism companies that utilise public transport for their clients, creating measures to restrict and penalise the misuse of public transport by these companies.
Lastly, the proposal advocates for the establishment of a working group to channel the contributions of the La Laguna City Council towards the forthcoming governing plan for the usage and management of Anaga Rural Park.
This group should convene at the Citizen Centres of Anaga and must encourage the active participation of local residents, the University of La Laguna, Environmental Protection Bodies, and the political parties represented in the La Laguna City Council.
