Tenerife: Complaints about environmental damage have doubled.
Tenerife is recording a record increase in complaints about environmental damage and an increase in the number of fines due to increased controls and new monitoring methods.
Tenerife has a record number of complaints about environmental damage. Since 2023, when the new government took office, the local nature department has been working to restore order on the island, from the coast to the mountains. They say that people used to feel unpunished, so they decided to change that.
And statistics confirm this: the number of fines is increasing. In 2023, there were 657, and in 2025, they plan to issue 1,360. That is, in just two years, the number of violations has doubled!
This is especially noticeable in the island's main reserve, the Teide National Park, which is one of the most visited in Europe (more than 5 million tourists in 2024). In 2023, 81 violations were recorded there (mainly for actions without permission), and this year there are already 285, which is almost four times more.
Why is this happening? The local authorities (Cabildo de Tenerife) have started to cooperate better with the police and other security services, purchased new cars, and created special groups to monitor order.
For example, in July 2023, the Digital Environmental Monitoring Unit (UVAD) appeared. These guys search the Internet (especially social networks) for videos and photos of people harming nature and punish them for it.
One TikToker (@azogue_elea) threw paella in Teide Park and posted it online - he is already about to be fined. Another (@belgium.barber.te) posted a video of himself cutting clients' hair outdoors, in various places in the park, even in the middle of the road, which is strictly prohibited.
In addition, preventive raids have become more frequent. They involve ecologists, foresters, police (local and Canarian) and the Civil Guard. Blanca Pérez, who is responsible for nature protection, says that they had to respond to the feeling of impunity that prevailed in nature.
According to her, there were no such raids before. There were also no special operations in the heat to prevent fires. During the raids, everything is checked: traffic management, vehicle documents, permits for tourists, trails. People should understand that they are being watched and cannot do whatever they want.
The authorities are now recruiting new ecologists (there are currently 40). They are also introducing restrictions and environmental fees in popular places such as Masca, Punta de Teno and Teide Peak. To visit the El Pijaral trail, you need to get a permit. They plan to introduce such rules in other places as well, such as Anaga and the entire Teide National Park.
Blanca Pérez says that they are negotiating with the municipalities of Santa Cruz and La Laguna to restore order in Anaga. Santa Cruz will monitor the beaches, where there are often traffic jams. And La Laguna will monitor Cruz del Carmen. Studies have shown that 80% of people who go to Anaga visit Cruz del Carmen for 45 minutes and then move on.
In general, many more violations are being detected. Most often, Spaniards (67%) violate the rules, not foreigners (33%). The most common violations in protected areas (which is almost half of the island) are: camping without permission, traffic violations, activities without permission, illegal construction, and failure to comply with fire safety regulations.
They are also fined for driving cars on prohibited forest roads, for flying drones, for littering, and for hunting with violations. Fines vary: from €200 for parking in the middle of the road to more than €15,000 for serious violations.