Last year, Regional Government of Andalusia environmental agents filed a total of 327 complaints for parking in prohibited areas or camping in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park (Almería) as part of their surveillance activities to preserve the state of this protected natural area.
Specifically, from the Andalusian Government, during 2022, 258 complaints were made for parking in prohibited areas or for being parked outside the established margin – mainly at night – while another 69 complaints were due to camping.
The Environment Department has pointed to a significant influx of visitors over the past year, especially through the use of caravans, which have proliferated with particular force following the coronavirus pandemic as a travel option, although the actions have focused especially on carrying out informative actions.
Thus, in addition to their regular work, the Environment agents have provided 1,150 hours of extraordinary services to cover certain demands, such as the device of access to the beaches located in the area of Mónsul and Genoveses, and the control of the overnight stay of vehicles adapted as housing – caravans, motorhomes and campers – among those who have detected a greater «awareness» about the restrictions.
On the other hand, through the surveillance of the coastline of the Natural Park, in the maritime area, which has been carried out together with the Seconded Police, agents of the Seprona of the Guardia Civil and agents of the Miteco, the work of active tourism companies has been inspected.
Thus, during the past year, seven complaints were filed against this type of companies for carrying out unauthorised transfers of users to the Cala de San Pedro. Similarly, close surveillance has been established to prevent the anchoring of recreational boats in areas of special protection of the posidonia littoralis.