The councilors of Nueva Canarias Óscar Noda and Daisy Villalba, demand an "urgent plan" to preserve the Canary palm in Lanzarote, therefore they have presented a motion to the plenary session of the Lanzarote Island Council to "avoid the reduction of the Lanzarote palm grove that suffers several conditions", both emphasize.
From the party, they make it clear that “there are many conditions and situations that are seriously endangering our palm trees. We must be aware that the Canary palm gives us a unique landscape in the world and that distinguishes us from other island territories of the archipelago with its beautiful image. We enjoy them in areas such as the municipality of Yaiza, the interior of the island, it also has a strong presence in Tinajo and La Vegueta, Masdache, San Bartolomé and the majestic palm grove of Haría and Máguez", comments the mayor of Yaiza and councilor, Óscar Noda.
In addition, Noda, argues that “the effective management of these threats requires comprehensive approaches, including preventive measures, constant monitoring and the active participation of the community in the conservation of the Canary palm. We must propose a joint and insular solution to a problem suffered by the aforementioned towns and propose solutions to its gradual deterioration. It is crucial to develop an action plan from the first island corporation to maintain one of our main hallmarks, that is why we propose creating an Island Service for Conservation and Maintenance of the Canary Palm and to which the town councils, after a framework agreement, can join, it is the responsible and technically most viable thing to do.”
“We have recently learned through the media that the island will have 1,000,000 euros for the eradication mainly of the diocalandra from the Ministry of Ecological Transition of the Government of the Canary Islands. Therefore, we must delve into efforts and add the necessary amounts, also from this Cabildo of Lanzarote, to comprehensively address the conditions of the Lanzarote palm trees, therefore, we present this decalogue of measures that the technicians have prepared for us so that they are adopted as urgently as possible and that the financing announcements do not remain in good headlines or in good photos, but in action”, Noda concludes.
The Canary palm, also known as Phoenix Canariensis, is an emblematic species in Lanzarote and in the Canary Islands in general. Its presence is fundamental to the local landscape, as it provides a distinctive and tropical aspect to the island. In addition to its aesthetic value, these palm trees play a crucial role in biodiversity, providing habitats for various species of birds and insects. Likewise, the Canary palm has historically been used in architecture and as a source of traditional materials. Its conservation is essential to maintain the ecological balance and preserve the natural and cultural identity of Lanzarote, they emphasize from the ranks of Nueva Canarias.
From the coalition formed by NC they warn that the "main threats to the Canary palm are; the red weevil, which is a beetle that is one of the greatest threats whose larvae feed on the internal tissue of the palm trees, causing irreparable damage. Pathogenic fungi are fungal diseases such as Fusarium oxysporum and that can affect the roots, causing wilting and eventual death of the palm tree." Another problem, according to councilors Noda and Villalba, is the "environmental stress due to extreme climatic conditions, such as prolonged droughts or extreme temperatures, urban stress and poorly performed pruning".
