L'Albufera de València, the emblematic natural park of the city whose health - now with unusual brown water - never ceases to worry, will become one of the symbols on which the European green capital that this year opens the cap will pivot. i married. The mayor of Valencia, María José Catalá, presented this Monday the plan designed by the PP and VOX government to celebrate this distinction in 2024 whose main objective “is to make Valencia a more sustainable city that takes even more care of its environment ”.
The first mayor has indicated that, among the objectives that the city has set for the year 2024, is to begin all the steps to ensure that the L'Albufera Natural Park is declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. To achieve this, she indicated, a plan will be launched together with the Generalitat Valenciana, through the Department of Territory, and the 13 municipalities on the banks of the park to achieve this important objective.
This will be linked to the recovery of the natural park, starting with a greater contribution of water like that approved this week by the Government, since the lack of rain and the west has endangered the survival of the lake.
"I can announce that I have requested a meeting with Minister Ribera to address the situation in L'Albufera." Catalá has denounced that it has been proven that a regulatory breach is occurring by not guaranteeing the needs of the wetland (24 and 46 hm3/ year) included in the hydrological planning. "With the 14.51 hm3/year authorized by the Confederation, the degradation of the natural systems of the wetland and its biodiversity is not avoided, nor are the effects on traditional activities, such as fishing and agriculture,” he stated.
"Turning l'Albufera into a Biosphere Reserve is one of the challenges, and to do so, in addition to resources, we are going to work institutionally to obtain the support required from the 13 municipalities of l'Horta and La Ribera that "They have the privilege of being next to this unique natural enclave at an international level."
Catalá has assured that the City Council has the determined support of the Generalitat Valenciana to advance the Natural Resources Management Plans (PORN), and the Master Plans for Use and Management (PRUG) that are required for L'Albufera to achieve this biosphere reserve declaration. "It has been more than a year since the previous Consell de la Generalitat paralyzed this process and we are now determined to achieve it, since this recognition would imply greater protection and preservation of this 'jewel' of our Green Capital."
In his speech and under the gaze of his Government partners, who have not always been very supportive of this project in votes in the council, Catalá emphasized that there will be a European Green Capitality "away from ideologies, away from radicals and attached to citizens, to science and to common sense," the mayor assured. “We do not want it to be a trophy showcase, but rather a movement of change for the city that brings sustainability policies for the coming years,” the mayor said.
