The Telesforo Bravo Juan Coello Foundation has issued a stark warning about the chaotic conditions due to the number of cars and visitors at Teide National Park.
With cars parked haphazardly along the side of the road and visitors wandering off designated paths, the foundation expressed concerns about the risks posed to both safety and the environment.
In a statement on social media, they criticised park authorities, accusing them of prioritising the influx of "tourists and more tourists" over genuine conservation efforts. Despite claims of implementing "unprecedented measures" to protect the park, the foundation argues that real action is lacking.
Teide National Park is the "crown jewel” of Tenerife's protected natural spaces and the foundation stress the importance of sustainability, however, a crucial Use and Management Regulation Plan (PRUG) to limit visitor numbers has yet to be approved.
They have also highlighted inadequate control over private vehicle access, particularly rent-a-cars, and the persistent issue of illegal parking damaging the environment, despite efforts to stop similar activities over a year ago.
Furthermore, the foundation noted insufficient park monitoring, revealing that they had to intervene as recently as Monday to prevent tourists from flying drones and collecting rocks, activities that are prohibited and threaten the park's integrity.
