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The Association of Friends of Sierra Escalona has raised concerns about the increasing impact of motor vehicle tourism on the La Pedrera reservoir. They warn that illegal buggy traffic on the shores is threatening local biodiversity and posing a risk of water contamination.
Rising Illegal Traffic
In the last two years, there has been a surge in illegal motor buggy activity around the reservoir. Tourist companies on the Vega Baja coast offer off-road experiences that, rather than promoting the value of the wetland, are damaging its fragile ecosystem.
The association reports that these tours, sometimes consisting of up to 18 buggies led by quads, take place frequently, both day and night, disrupting wildlife and plant life.
Environmental Consequences
The constant movement of these vehicles is causing soil erosion and desertification, threatening plant species and reeds. The presence of tourists also disturbs bird populations, including protected species like the little ringed plover (Charadrius dubius), black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus), and common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), thereby reducing their numbers in the area.
Water Contamination Risks
A further concern is the potential contamination of the reservoir, which supplies drinking water to thousands of residents in the province. The buggy tours often make stops along the reservoir’s banks, increasing the risk of oil and fuel spills that could compromise water quality.
Lack of Enforcement
Despite multiple complaints filed by environmental agents of the Generalitat, these tourist activities continue with apparent impunity, further accelerating the degradation of the reservoir.
Need for Immediate Action
The Friends of Sierra Escalona are calling for stricter enforcement measures to address this issue, as well as other ongoing environmental threats, including illegal waste dumping and the spread of invasive species. They emphasise the need for responsible management by the Segura Hydrographic Confederation and the Ministry of the Environment to protect and preserve this vital ecosystem.
La Pedrera: A Protected but Threatened Wetland
Built in the late 1970s as part of the Tagus-Segura water transfer system, La Pedrera is the province’s largest freshwater reservoir. With a storage capacity of 240 hectometers, it rarely exceeds 50% of its capacity and currently holds about 50 hectometers. Since 2015, desalinated water from the Torrevieja plant has supplemented its reserves.
Recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International and part of the Natura 2000 Network due to its proximity to Sierra Escalona, the reservoir is a key conservation area. Despite its protected status, it continues to face mounting ecological pressures, including unauthorized swimming during the summer months.
Environmentalists re urging authorities to take immediate and effective action to curb these threats and ensure the long-term health of this crucial wetland.
Main image: Facebook
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