Teide suffers from tourists: parking, quad bikes, selfies, and picnics in the protected area.

Blanca Pérez, a nature councilor, says that most complaints are about improperly parked cars, especially on the roads to Teide National Park. Also, there were 44 complaints about quad bikes.

According to Pérez, there have been cases of quad bike drivers riding where they are not allowed, and cyclists using trails where it is prohibited. There were also complaints about cars obstructing access to the forest, especially when there was a high risk of fire in August.

Problems in protected areas have always existed, but now there are more frequent cases of people climbing onto observation decks to take photos, for example, in Chipeque, Chimague, and Ayosa, especially at dawn and sunset when Teide is visible. Even more people gather there in the summer.

Unfortunately, for the sake of a good selfie on social media, people climb over fences into restricted areas or leave trash, including many cigarette butts. It is important to remember that when there is a threat of forest fires, as there was for almost all of August, smoking is not allowed there. There have even been cases of people setting up picnic tables or tents in protected areas.

Local authorities remind that nature conservation inspectors have the right to issue reports to those who violate the rules. These materials are transferred to the General Directorate of Traffic, which is responsible for punishment.

Blanca Pérez explains that this is a complex problem that requires the cooperation of various authorities. Therefore, they want to meet with government representatives to discuss traffic regulation. In any case, Blanca Pérez assures that they will continue to work to prevent congestion and damage to nature, as well as to respond to any violations.

Blanca Pérez considers recent complaints on social media about violations in Teide National Park to be unacceptable behavior that needs to be addressed. For example, a Belgian hairdresser recently provided services in the middle of the road in the National Park, and this case is now being considered by the General Directorate of Traffic. Regarding the performance of the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra, Pérez assured that all permits were issued and the music in the video was not recorded live. That is, everything was done according to the law.

The local authorities of Tenerife are still waiting for a decree that will allow them to fully manage Teide National Park. Currently, they only have part of the authority, and they want to get all of it from the government. This was discussed back in January, but nothing has changed yet. Also, a new park management plan is being developed, as the old one has been in effect since 1992.

Councilor Pérez strictly warns: "We will not allow interference in natural areas or endangerment of people. We protect our land and safety."