Tenerife PSOE Rejects Teide Park Plan Over Conservation, Overcrowding Concerns

Tenerife's PSOE party is against the new Master Plan for Teide National Park (PRUG). They say the plan "doesn't deal with the overcrowding" of the Canary Islands' most important protected natural area. Tamara Raya, the socialist party's general secretary on the island, also points out that the plan "fails to tackle invasive species like mouflons, rabbits, and even wild cats." Raya stressed that they cannot support a plan approved "without the input of environmental groups, scientists, or the Federation of Mountaineers." She reminded everyone that these groups all voted against the document.

Among their reasons for rejecting the plan, the PSOE's general secretary in Tenerife highlighted that it "doesn't address the main problems of Teide National Park." She added that the Superior Council of Scientific Research made this very clear in a "devastating report."

Tamara Raya explained that this new document, which aims to control activities in the protected area, "relaxes conservation rules, ignores the overcrowding caused by over five million visitors a year, does nothing about invasive species, and cuts down on research."

She also noted that the plan "fails to consider a crucial issue like the potential impact of climate change." The regional deputy stated that the PSOE "agrees with many points raised by various groups who are demanding a full review of the plan."

Tamara Raya also criticized the financial side, accusing the island government (CC-PP) of "cutting the budget for national park conservation." For 2026, this budget is just over 9.8 million euros, which is a decrease of 237,000 euros (2.35%) compared to this year's budget of nearly 10.1 million euros.

Additionally, other socialist sources highlighted that the overall budget for the island's Natural Environment department is being cut by 2.45 million euros (from 75.42 million to 72.97 million). This cut comes "despite an extra 4.8 million euros from forest tax income." The PSOE reminded everyone that "this budget is used by the Cabildo for all forest and environmental management on the island, including Teide National Park."

Meanwhile, Cabildo President Rosa Dávila announced yesterday that they are "gradually" developing a mobility plan for the Teide PRUG, a task given to the island's governing body. While she didn't give specific dates, she hopes the plan will be ready before the end of 2026. She explained that their approach is to "organize" visits and focus on public and shared transport.

The new Teide Plan changes how one of Spain's most iconic natural areas will be managed. It creates four different zones, each with its own rules for access, protection, and allowed activities. The regional Governing Council approved this Use and Management Plan last Monday, and it was published yesterday in the Official Gazette of the Canary Islands (BOC). It will become law in 15 days, on Friday the 19th.