Furious locals committed to preventing the construction of a majortourist projectunderway in theCanary Islandshave announced their latest action, with plans to march through the capital city ofTenerife. The protest, organised by the Asamblea Reivindicativa Canaria, will begin at 11am in Plaza Weyler, Santa Cruz deTenerife, on Sunday (April 26), with demonstrators set to pass key government buildings including the Canary Islands Parliament, the Tenerife Cabildo and the regional Government Presidency.
The action aims to halt the controversial Cuna del Alma tourist development near the city ofAdejeand the popularPlaya de las Américasresort on the southwestern coast. It seeks to transform El Puetito's beautiful bay into a luxurious, intimate resort with3,602 beds for visitorsat a total cost of about £36million. However, critics have been denouncing the project since its announcement, arguing that it will create a small town and have a severe impact on the local ecology.
This latest action follows a recent court decision ordering a precautionary suspension of work on one section of the site. The ruling affects around 27,000 square feet (2,500sqm) within aprotected coastal zone.
READ MORE:Fury in Canary Islands as controversial project 'to create small town'
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Campaign organisers have described the decision as “a small but significant victory”, particularly as both the project developer and the Canary Islands Government’s Directorate General for Coasts are now under investigation.
However, they warn that construction continues at pace across the rest of the large-scaletouristdevelopment, potentially causing irreversible environmental damage, they claim. The project is accused of destroying populations of the protected endemic plant species viborina triste (Echium triste).
The group is calling for the area to be preserved and transformed into a heritage site museum dedicated to the history and natural environment of Tenerife. They argue the location is of unique importance due to its Guanche archaeological remains,endemic plant life, marine species, and distinctive geological features.
In a statement, the organisers said local people have had enough of being “overlooked, sold out, and misled”, urging immediate action to stop what they describe as an unsustainable and damaging project,Canarian Weeklyreported.
Activists noted that, despite ongoing debate, measures such as a tourist eco-tax, already common in many major destinations worldwide, have yet to be introduced in the Canary Islands.
Source: Daily Express :: World Feed
