“There are individuals in our society who are at odds with their natural heritage”. This grievance was expressed via Instagram by Jaime Coello, the director of the Telesforo Bravo Juan Coello Foundation, who shared a collection of images highlighting the repercussions of a recent “ecological crime” within the Teide National Park.
The incidents reportedly took place overnight in the area referred to as the MINAS DE SAN JOSÉ. A vehicle is said to have gained access across a stretch of dunes, displacing the stones that mark the path. Once inside, those involved set light to a fire “which incinerated a plant and left litter scattered about, including wrappers from barbecue briquettes,” as Coello describes.
“What we are reporting today exhausts all descriptors as we are discussing an ecological crime,” warns Jaime Coello, who has been drawing attention to this type of vandalism in Teide through his series of complaints entitled ‘How the Teide National Park suffers!’
This activity poses not only a threat to one of the most iconic natural areas of the Canary Islands, but also represents a significant violation of the regulations governing the usage and protection of the National Park, where movement beyond permitted zones is restricted and, of course, igniting fires or discarding waste is strictly prohibited.
In light of the severity of the situation, Coello poses a direct question to the authorities: “Must we endure more atrocities like this before those accountable in the council take action?”
This act, which could amount to a crime against the environment, underscores the urgent need to enhance public awareness regarding the fragility of the ecosystems in Teide, a protected area that welcomes thousands of visitors annually, which is now under scrutiny.
