Both, Calvià Town Hall and the Hotel Association of Peguera and Cala Fornells have signed an agreement for joint actions in matters of environmental awareness
Both, Calvià Town Hall and the Hotel Association of Peguera and Cala Fornells have signed an agreement for joint actions in matters of environmental awareness. The objective is to involve tourists in concrete actions such as the reforestation of burnt areas, the cleaning of beaches and sea floors, and programmes of urban ecology.
The Mayor of Calvià, Alfonso Rodríguez Badal, has signed a collaboration agreement with the Hotel Association of Peguera and Cala Fornells, which objective is the collaboration for the realization of joint environmental education actions in the area of Peguera, amongst which are included days of reforestation of burnt and degraded areas, the cleaning of beaches and coastline of the area and a pilot programme of urban ecology. On beahlf of the Association, the agreement has been signed by its president, Antonio Mayol Fiol.
It is expected to encourage groups of tourists to participate in environmental actions as well as promote Winter tourism with alternative activities related to sustainable tourism for visitors aware of the environment. With this type of activities it is also intended to raise awareness amongst the participating volunteers in the respect for the environment and the preservation of the natural heritage.
A reforestation day takes place today, 3rd February, in the area of the Talaia of Peguera in coordination with the Hotel Association of Peguera-Cala Fornells and Xarxa Forestal, of the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries. Tourists participate in the context of the programme Calvià, el Invierno Europeo, activities for tourists organised in the low season by the Town Hall's Department of Tourism. Since 2011, reforestation actions are conducted through this programme.
The signing event was attended by the tourists that today participate in the reforestation day at the Talaia of Peguera. On behalf of the Town Hall, have also attended the event the Deputy Mayor for Tourism, Antonio García Moles, the Councillor for Commerce and Activities, Francisca Muñoz, and the Councillor for the area of Peguera, Juan Cuadros.
Different days of reforestation and protection of the pine specimens that have sprouted naturally have already been carried out in the area of the Talaia of Peguera, on the occasion of the fire occurred during the Summer of 2011, which affected about 12 hectares of forest area. This time, it is intended to replant those which have not survived from the last performance, and help those which have done so.
The purpose is to recover the previously existing forest communities, maintain the landscape's appeal of the area and recuperate the environmental value of the lost forest cover. Besides involving the group of tourists in the tasks of environmental improvement, it also aims to raise awareness and educate, as the participants receive a brief training to successfully carry out the protection and reforestation tasks, as well as on good practices to conserve the natural heritage and prevent the erosion of the ground.
Pupils of some educational centres of the municipality have also participated in the reforestation days promoted by the Town Hall, held last December in other areas of the municipality.
The seabed and beach cleaning programme began in 2007 and since then it has been carried out every year with the objective of preserving the coastline and seabed of Calvià, and raise awareness amongst tourists, tour operators, citizens and businesses on the importance of protecting the coast. In 2015 they collected 640 kg of rubbish, totaling approximately 12,605 kg. since the cleaning began in 2007.
The pilot urban ecology programme aims to promote, encourage and disseminate good environmental practices, the introduction of environmental quality systems, as well as the responsible information and education in matters of protection of the environment. It seeks to raise awareness, inform and involve citizens and volunteers in the conservation and protection of the urban environment. Various green areas have already been reviewed to carry out the action.