The César Manrique Foundation has publicly asked the Cabildo of Lanzarote for strict regulation that "restricts or prohibits" excursions with buggies, quads, and other motor vehicles in rural and natural areas of Lanzarote.
Furthermore, it has pointed out that these excursions have become "a real social and environmental problem" that requires "urgent and efficient" action by public institutions.
This is how the organization responded after the public consultation by the Cabildo of Lanzarote and La Graciosa on the transit of these vehicles, as well as trial, enduro, and cross motorcycles in sensitive areas of the island, concluded at the beginning of November.
The FCM has shown its support for citizen claims that have expressed concern about the environmental impact of these tourist activities and has urged that the regulation take into account the effect of motor vehicles on nature, biodiversity, crops, the well-being of the population, and the enjoyment of the landscape.
In addition, the Foundation has gone a step further and has pointed out that not only the use of buggies, quads, trial, enduro motorcycles, and other similar vehicles in rural and natural areas should be regulated. It has also indicated that the holding of sporting events should be curbed and jet skis for leisure purposes should be included in urban coastlines or beach areas.
A Stalled Ban
Last July, the Minister of Territorial Policy of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Jesús Machín Tavío, indicated that he expected to have the ban on buggies circulating on the island before August. That restriction was not implemented then, and this November the same body stated it was working to precautionarily halt these routes by tourist companies.
Buggies excursions have continued to occur for years in Lanzarote, taking advantage of legal loopholes in their regulation and despite neighborhood discontent.
Furthermore, the César Manrique Foundation has recalled that as early as 2012 it submitted allegations to the Vice-Ministry of Environment of the Government of the Canary Islands regarding their environmental impact on the natural environment.
Even then, it warned that these excursions "are not advisable" in a Biosphere Reserve and that, if admitted, they should be subject to "strict regulation, in designated areas," where there is no conflict with natural landscapes or with fauna and flora, and even less so in protected areas.
14 years ago, the Foundation also warned of the risks of degradation of the natural environment and that the noise from these excursions destroys the local flora and drives away the resident fauna.
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