Andalusia’s rivers are being destroyed by tourism: ‘You don’t see anything, it’s all dead’
Tourist overcrowding is putting the fauna and flora of many river sites at risk, with channels destroyed and trash piling up
Andalusia's rivers face destruction due to tourism, according to the Nerja town hall. The Chíllar River in Nerja, Málaga province, is a prime example, offering clear water, gorges, waterfalls, and pools. With easy access and low technical difficulty, up to 3,000 people daily flocked to the river, turning it into a bustling fairground.
Consequently, in August 2023, Nerja Town Hall imposed a ban on entry. Despite the ban, the regional government of Andalusia is planning to reopen the river, albeit with restrictions. Two companies are competing to manage the area, but there is significant criticism over the substantial impact that renewed human presence could have on the river's biodiversity.
Rafael Yus, spokesperson for the NGO Ecologists in Action, emphasizes that the same danger threatens numerous other rivers across the region due to tourism pressure.
Written by urgent.news from El Pais English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
