The Association for the Rural Development of Camp d’Elx (ADR Camp d’Elx) has filed timely objections to the new Rural Ordinance that the Elche City Council intends to approve, as well as to the Management and Use Plan (PRUG) of the El Fondo Natural Park, managed by the Valencian Government, which has been unregularized for over 30 years. According to the association, several irrigation communities, private owners, companies, and municipalities have also submitted objections, as recorded in the Generalitat Valenciana Registry.
The association highlights that its functions include raising awareness about the territory, explaining the reasons for its defense and safeguarding for future generations. They also aim to promote respect for rural activities, such as agriculture, livestock farming, beekeeping, and forestry, as well as the maintenance of Roman or Arab heritage that gives meaning to the agrarian land registry and the still functional hydraulic heritage.
Another of their proposals focuses on promoting sustainable activities like Rural Tourism. They point out that in Elche, there is only one legal rural accommodation, while tourist apartments or tourist use dwellings exceed 500. They have noted attempts to legalize more rural houses in the municipality over the past year, but without success with the relevant urban planning administration.
The objective of these actions is to preserve biodiversity and territorial identity, as well as to explain the connection with the Vega Baja del Segura. The association hopes that other entities will collaborate in areas they cannot reach, such as the planning and strategies of the Basin Plan of the Segura Hydrographic Confederation and the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation, considering that the Vinalopó river still lacks a natural mouth.
Furthermore, they have announced that they will submit proposals for the modification of the General Plan to accommodate photovoltaic installations.
Additionally, ADR Camp d’Elx has organized two activities to celebrate World Environment Day. On Sunday, June 7th, they will be at the Puçol School Museum conducting a workshop on recycled palm tree material. On Saturday, June 6th, they will lead an explanatory route focusing on the hydraulic heritage and otters in the environment of the Segura River in Guardamar de Segura, and how water is elevated towards the Camp d´Elx through the El Fondo Natural Park.
These activities are carried out in collaboration with the Elche City Council, Ecoembes, SEObirdlife (within the LIBERA Project), and the Keuper Ambiental Association. The activity at the Puçol Museum will be led by the entity “Verdes y Rojas”, with Begoña and Trini, creating puppets from recycled palm tree material with the registered children. The route on Saturday will be guided by Carlos Martín Cantarino from the University of Alicante (Department of Coastal Ecology) and Carolina García, an environmentalist. It will include a stop for litter collection (1m² against litter) and will conclude at the North Gate of the El Hondo Natural Park, thanks to the collaboration of the Comunidad de Riegos de Levante, left bank.
Registration for the activities is available through the ADR Camp d’Elx email and social media channels.
