El Gobierno de Canarias respalda proyectos de restauración en Fuerteventura

Lola García reiterates to the Minister of Ecological Transition to undertake the works of the classification and composting plant in Zurita

The Cabildo of Fuerteventura obtains the support of the Government of the Canary Islands for the development of projects aimed at recovering terrestrial ecosystems in Fuerteventura. Today, June 26, the island president, Lola García, and the Minister of Ecological Transition and Energy of the Government of the Canary Islands, Mariano Hernández Zapata, visited the restoration projects of the dune system in the Natural Park of Corralejo, which is being carried out by the Government of the Canary Islands with Next Generation European funds.

Also present during the visits were the mayor of La Oliva, Isaí Blanco, the Minister of Environment, Carlos Rodríguez, the Councilor for Biosphere Reserve, Marlene Figueroa, the Councilor for Territorial Planning, Nereida Calero, and the Councilor for Environment, David Fajardo.

For the president of the Cabildo, Lola García, «Fuerteventura has highly sensitive areas such as the Natural Park of the Dunes of Corralejo, where we must recover biodiversity with projects aimed at its restoration.» «In that line, we have always approached the Government of the Canary Islands to work hand in hand, as is already the case with projects to recover other terrestrial ecosystems on the island such as the Gavias del Cárcel area.» The Ministry of Environment of the Cabildo is working on a pioneering project in the estate known as Gavias del Cárcel to restore habitats typical of steppe birds and fight against desertification, an initiative that now receives the support of the Government of the Canary Islands, through European funds, for the expansion of the pond and fencing of the surroundings.

The Minister of Environment, Carlos Rodríguez, highlighted the commitment of the Cabildo to the conservation of the territory and the natural heritage of Fuerteventura.

The Minister of Ecological Transition, Mariano Hernández Zapata, has valued «the interinstitutional collaboration, which is key to advancing a real environmental protection strategy that has a direct impact on the territory, demonstrating the interest of all institutions in these types of projects, which have a huge significance on the island.»

The mayor of La Oliva, Isaí Blanco, emphasizes: «Both actions respond to the will of the local government to preserve our natural environments and their fauna in this enclave so important not only for the municipality, but also for the Canary Islands, such as the Dunes of Corralejo.»

Zurita Environmental Complex

During the meeting, the president of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, Lola García, has once again asked the Minister of Ecological Transition and Energy to resume the works of the classification and composting plant at the Zurita Environmental Complex.

The president recalled that the works of the all-in-one classification and composting plant depend on the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Energy of the Government of the Canary Islands and are valued at more than 15 million euros. In October 2023, the Ministry committed to carry out works that have not yet begun. «Its execution is essential to improve the island’s waste management and recycling, as well as to minimize negative impacts on the environment and adapt to European and national regulations. We hope that the works will start as soon as possible, as the Minister has informed us today, and that it will become a reality this year.»

Data from 2024 indicates that more than 3,410 tons of waste were recycled in the majorero territory, representing an increase of more than 30% compared to the previous year.

Furthermore, the president of the Cabildo has reiterated that «the extension and continuation of the exploitation of the El Charco Thermal Power Plant should not be allowed, and instead, its relocation to areas agreed upon with local administrations such as Zurita should be encouraged.» Lola García once again requested the Minister to be aware of the impact that the energy systems being implemented on the island have on the ground, bypassing the normal process. These facilities cause irreparable damage to sustainability, land preservation, and the quality of life of the people.