In the Canary Islands, the National Parks are managed by the Government of the Canary Islands and we have four National Parks that we mention below:
1. Caldera de Taburiente National Park (La Palma)
2. Garajonay National Park (La Gomera)
3. Teide National Park (Tenerife)
4. Timanfaya National Park (Lanzarote)
The management of the National Parks in the Canary Islands depends on several institutions:
- Government of the Canary Islands: It is primarily responsible for direct management since 2010 through the Ministry of Ecological Transition, Fight against Climate Change and Territorial Planning.
- The Cabildos may request management powers, as is the case, for example, with the Cabildo of Tenerife, which manages the Teide National Park.
- Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge: Collaborates in the management through the Autonomous National Parks Agency.
It is clear, in view of daily events in different island territories, that the National Parks in the Canary Islands, as well as other protected areas, do not have the specific material and human resources for their surveillance and conservation.
These should include sufficient environmental agents in charge of monitoring, controlling and protecting natural resources. The infrastructure appropriate to the dimensions to be covered is also necessary, from visitor centers, signage, conditioned trails, surveillance vehicles, communication equipment and other technical resources.
There are economic sanctions typified for causing damage to the National Parks as well as the protected Natural Spaces in the Canary Islands, but they are not strictly applied to
offenders, whether tourists or local population. The established amounts of the sanctions vary depending on the severity of the damage caused, and can range from minor fines of a few hundred euros to severe fines that can exceed several thousand euros.
Daily reality tells us that they are rarely applied and when they are tourists, they are not required to pay before returning to their country of origin, so they are usually unpaid and
they go unpunished without sanction. A change of dynamics and sanctioning effects should be seriously considered.
From Liberación Canaria we propose Solutions for the protection, care, surveillance and conservation of our Canarian National Parks and protected areas. Our natural heritage is one of our main sources of wealth.
Below are some proposed solutions that may not be being implemented and it is necessary to consider them to put them into operation:
1. Increase in Personnel: It is necessary to increase the number of park rangers and environmental agents to ensure more effective surveillance.
2. Application of Early Detection Technology:
Given the territorial extension, it is necessary to resort to existing technologies that can help and facilitate the work of surveillance and early detection, so it is necessary to implement the use of drones, trap cameras and early detection systems to monitor remote areas and detect illicit activities.
3. Education and Awareness:
It is necessary to develop more intensive educational programs and awareness campaigns for both tourists and the local population about the importance of conserving National Parks and Protected Natural Spaces.
It is necessary for the tourism sector to get involved jointly in information work in the establishments where they stay, as well as the restaurant sector can contribute with joint campaigns with the Institutions.
4. Collaboration with the Local Population:
The importance of involving local communities in the management and protection of parks and natural spaces through local employment programs in environmental conservation activities is evident.
5. Incentives for Conservation:
The establishment of economic incentives together with distinctive recognitions for companies and individuals that collaborate in the conservation of park spaces can be considered.
6. Review and Hardening of Sanctions:
Review and, if necessary, toughen the economic sanctions for offenders, ensuring that they are sufficiently dissuasive.
7. Awareness of Tourism:
It is inevitable to promote sustainable practices that minimize and limit the environmental impact and promote respect for the natural environment.
8. Continuous Scientific Monitoring:
Strengthen research and continuous scientific monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystems to detect changes and threats in time.
9. Establish International Cooperation links:
Establish cooperation ties with other national parks and international organizations to share good practices and resources. From Liberación Canaria we believe that these measures could help to significantly improve the protection, care, surveillance and conservation of the National Parks in the Canary Islands as well as the protected Natural Spaces. Without forgetting the Biosphere Reserves existing in the Archipelago that would also fall within the scope of the proposed protection.
