Tension Grows in Anaga Village Over Biosphere Reserve Management and Depopulation
Residents of the remote Canary Island village of Lomo de las Bodegas are protesting the neglect of local infrastructure and the rise of tourism, which they claim contradicts the area's official status as a protected Biosphere Reserve.
The remote village of Lomo de las Bodegas in the Anaga massif has become a focal point for debates over how Biosphere Reserves are managed in the Canary Islands. A recent report by Diario de Avisos highlights the disconnect between the official promotion of these protected areas and the daily struggles of residents, who feel increasingly cut off from the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The village’s population has shrunk significantly, dropping from 36 families in its prime to just 14 people today, with only 12 living there permanently. Meanwhile, the vacation rental market is booming, with one in every five homes now serving tourists. This demand has driven property prices up to 230,000 euros—often far exceeding the actual value of unrenovated homes.
The village remains heavily dependent on a single road. While the 1976 opening of the Igueste de San Andrés road once helped residents commute to the city, it also left the area logistically isolated. Today, public transport is limited to just three bus trips a day, making it difficult for residents to access essential services like healthcare and education.
Locals are also frustrated with how the Rural Park is managed. They argue that while authorities use the "Biosphere Reserve" label for marketing, there is little investment in local infrastructure or trail maintenance. Residents claim that planners rarely consult them, leading to issues like long-term trail closures and the removal of road pull-offs, which creates safety risks for drivers.
These challenges make the village’s future uncertain. Without basic services or reliable transport, Lomo de las Bodegas is becoming a destination for retirees and tourists rather than a place where young families can build a life. Today, the village is defined by a difficult tension: the peace of its natural surroundings is increasingly overshadowed by the fragility of its community.