Dragon Tree Felling Sparks La Laguna Row
Environmental groups are clashing with La Laguna City Council over the felling of a symbolic dragon tree, leading to accusations of failed protection and calls for a boycott.
Cutting down a dragon tree in La Laguna has caused a big fight between environmental groups and the local council. The tree, found at 9 Mazurca Street, was recently removed during renovation work. This has angered the Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature (ATAN).
La Laguna City Council has defended its decision, saying reports showed the tree, which was on private land, was diseased. But ATAN claims the council "failed to protect natural heritage," even though the group says they knew the tree was "about to be cut down."
In a social media post, the environmental group criticized several parties. They blamed La Laguna City Council for "failing to protect our natural heritage." They also criticized the company that owns the land, saying it "rushed things to stop any other options." ATAN plans to reveal the company's name and related businesses soon, calling for a boycott.
The association has received a lot of support from people who are against cutting down the dragon tree. This tree is a symbol of the Canary Islands and is seen as the official plant of the Archipelago. "This shows that many good people are fighting to make the Islands a better place," they wrote in their statement.