2023-08-30 12:17:23
The Unesco has asked Spain before the December 1, 2024 I present to you a report on the state of conservation of Doñana and the measures to be implemented to reverse the deterioration of the aquifer which, if it persists, could create the conditions for its registration in the List of World Heritage in Danger.
This is stated by the international organization in its last document on the state of conservation of the properties inscribed on the list of World Heritage Sites.
In the text he expresses “his worry” due to issues such as the influence of climate change in this natural space, the loss of biodiversity, or the Law proposal for the improvement of irrigation management in the municipalities of the northern area of Doñana that is processed in the Andalusian Parliament.
Spain must submit a report to Unesco in 2024 on the state of conservation of Doñana and the measures to be implemented to reverse the deterioration of the aquifer
UNESCO recognizes the “efforts“from Spain to reduce groundwater use of the Doñana aquifer with continuous inspections and closure of illegal wells, or the relocation of the closest wells to Matalascañas.
However, the fact that three groundwater bodies have remained overexploited since 2020 remains “reason for concern”, especially given the scientific uncertainty regarding the degree to which groundwater extraction affects the natural space and its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).
This designation means that a property has such extraordinary cultural and/or natural importance that it transcends national borders and becomes important for present and future generations of all humanity.
Concern about legalizing illegal wells
On this point, Unesco points out that despite the assurance provided by the Spanish State in June of this year regarding the non-granting of additional water rights to the aquifer, the legislative change proposed by the Parliament of Andalusia to “legalize the existing illegal wells is cause for great concern” and urges “to fully implement” the Special Irrigation Management Plan of the Corona Forestal de Doñana, the Strawberry Plan, and to close illegal wells, “which is crucial to preserve the value of Doñana”.
On the other hand, it requests Spain to confirm whether the Guadalquivir Basin Hydrological Plan (2021-2027) by the end of 2022, and whether an updated Strategic Environmental Assessment of the basin has been carried out, including an assessment of the cumulative impacts of water use and agricultural, industrial and commercial development currently occurring in the Guadalquivir River Basin to the property.
Also to speed up the development of a ecohydrological model for Doñana and the elaboration of a strategic plan that defines the probable impacts related to the change that is taking place in the natural space, as well as adaptation and mitigation measures to it.
There is concern about the decrease in the number of waterfowl that winter in Doñana
The Unesco document also notes its concern about the decline in the number of waterfowl wintering in Doñana, which are important attributes of the OUV, and the fact that some key species are currently not breeding or being observed on the property due to drought. prolonged and lack of surface water.
Caution with the reopening of Aznalcóllar
It also recalls “the need for extreme caution” in the reopening of the Aznalcóllar mine and calls for “systematic preparation for risks and emergency action plans” to be guaranteed.
In UNESCO’s opinion, “continued deterioration of the Doñana aquifer, if it is not reversed through the rapid and effective implementation of actions, including the recommendations of the 2020 Reactive Monitoring mission, to strengthen the resilience of the property and reduce the pressures on the natural space derived from the threat of climate changecould have an adverse impact on it and create the conditions for inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger.”
This resolution proposal will be approved during the meeting of the World Heritage Committee that will take place in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) in September.
The conservation organization WWF has also echoed of the warnings in this Unesco document, the resolution of which will be approved during the meeting of the World Heritage Committee which will take place from September 10 to 25 in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).
“This body expresses its utmost concern about the Andalusian government’s bill to provide amnesty for illegal irrigation, and it should be remembered that it already published another in May statement where it warned that if this law is approved, it will include Doñana on the Danger List, which it has reiterated in this new resolution proposal”, points out WWF, which emphasizes: “Unesco makes it clear that if the continuous decline of the aquifer is not reversed de Doñana with urgent and effective measures, this place will enter the List of World Heritage in Danger”.
Rights: Creative Commons.
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