Teide National Park Management Plan Fast-Tracked for Approval

The Canary Islands' Ministry of Ecological Transition has moved closer to approving a new management plan for Teide National Park by the end of the year. The official gazette has confirmed the urgency of the process, which speeds up the approval and means the plan only needs a final decree to become law.

This new plan will replace the current one, which has been in place for 23 years. The urgency was declared because the environmental report for the old plan is expiring.

Normally, environmental assessments are valid for four years. However, the government can speed up procedures if it's in the public interest. This means deadlines are cut in half, except for submitting applications and appeals.

The ministry believes this is necessary because the current plan needs to be updated to align with a national framework for parks. They also stated that speeding up the process doesn't compromise public consultation, as that has already been done.

The decision is to fast-track the approval of the new plan, halving the usual deadlines, except for any appeals against the final decree.

Meanwhile, the transfer of park management responsibilities from the Canary Islands government to the local island council (Cabildo) is still pending. Once finalized, the Cabildo will have full authority to manage the park, which sees 5.2 million visitors annually. This transfer is also linked to the introduction of an eco-tax for non-resident visitors from 2026, with the revenue dedicated to conservation efforts.

The new management plan for Teide National Park received approval from the national parks authority on October 24th. This plan, developed by the Canary Islands government with the Cabildo's agreement, will guide the park's future. The next steps are the final decree and approval by the State Government Council.

The local government has announced budget increases for Teide National Park in 2026, including funds for a mobility study and for renewing vehicles used by park staff and firefighters. The total budget for the park is nearly 10 million euros, a 25% increase from the previous year, which they say shows their commitment to conservation.

However, the main opposition party, the PSOE, disagrees. They argue that while a new fuel tax is being introduced to fund environmental protection, the actual budget for the environment and Teide National Park is decreasing. They point to a drop in funding for natural areas and specific investments in reforestation and fire fighting. The PSOE also criticizes the government for not implementing promised measures like charging for access to Teide or Masca.

A government minister stated that sustainable mobility will be a key focus under the new plan, with measures to control access and promote public transport. She emphasized that the park's transport system will be significantly improved, and private transport will be managed more effectively. The goal is to encourage visitors to use collective transport from tourist areas, making visits more sustainable and less impactful. She also noted that visitors will likely have to pay for services, similar to other natural sites in Tenerife.