A few months ago I wrote a post on the plight of Las Tablas de Daimiel, but it seems that since then the situation in what is supposed to be one of the most important wetland areas of Spain has got even worse. The lack of water in the park has now led to a situation where underground peat fires are burning, and the European Union has threatened to intervene to force the Spanish government to act.
There's nothing very natural about this disaster, and it looks as if the Spanish government has more or less decided to let the park die. Now, with the threat of outside intervention, there is talk of a water transfer being arranged from the Tajo River. The poor Tajo seems to be the solution to everyone's water problems, and already there have been complaints from Murcia that water should be used to help preserve a national park when they can be using it to grow tomatoes. Precisely the attitude that has led to the once water sufficient Tablas reaching the state they are in today. It would be interesting to know whether any water from the Tajo still makes it across the frontier into Portugal. If anyone ever wants to create a monument to unsustainable management of water resources then Las Tablas de Daimiel will be as good a place as any.
There's nothing very natural about this disaster, and it looks as if the Spanish government has more or less decided to let the park die. Now, with the threat of outside intervention, there is talk of a water transfer being arranged from the Tajo River. The poor Tajo seems to be the solution to everyone's water problems, and already there have been complaints from Murcia that water should be used to help preserve a national park when they can be using it to grow tomatoes. Precisely the attitude that has led to the once water sufficient Tablas reaching the state they are in today. It would be interesting to know whether any water from the Tajo still makes it across the frontier into Portugal. If anyone ever wants to create a monument to unsustainable management of water resources then Las Tablas de Daimiel will be as good a place as any.
5 comments:
Mr Davies has banned Mr cade from his blog! Why? Mr cade wasn’t insulting Mr Davies, just reminding him what he is! Find out this and more at:
http://mrdaviesdrivel.blogspot.com/
You are welcome to give your opinion, but I advise you to read first what Mr cade wrote, just in case you got the wrong impression of him and haplessly let yourself in for a tough ride!
Just saw the Tagus at various levels. As it crosses into Extremadura from Castilla, it was an absolutely sickly looking green mossy creature giving off a rather strong smell...then downsteam under the Roman bridge at Alcantara it was somewhat prettier, but still LOW...
Don't think the Portuguese have complained...yet
I suspect the Portuguese have a level of expectation as low as the level of the river.
The good news that the National Park of Las Tablas de Daimiel begins to be flooded again was confirmed yesterday by EFE. It is hoped that the ongoing peat fire may come to an end this Spring.
More at:
http://guillermo-rein.blogspot.com/2010/01/flooding-starts-in-national-park.html
It is good news Guillermo, but the sad thing is that it may just only be enough to put out the fire - the restoration of the wetlands is another matter. The weather is helping at the moment.
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