Tenerife Cabildo removes 150 kilos of rubbish from Malpaís de Güímar Nature Reserve
The Tenerife Cabildo has removed nearly 150 kilograms of rubbish and litter from the Malpaís de Güímar Special Nature Reserve as part of its ongoing programme to conserve and clean the island’s protected natural spaces.
The operation was carried out by workers from the Department of Natural Environment, Sustainability, Safety and Emergencies. Among the items collected were several wooden pallets, various scattered waste materials, and a large, thick rope that had to be cut into pieces before removal as it was so heavy.
This clean-up effort forms part of the wider strategy to maintain the ecological balance of the reserve, a site that was initially declared a national area of natural interest in 1987 and reclassified as a Special Nature Reserve in 1994 due to its environmental significance.
Covering three square kilometres between Montaña Grande and the coastline, the Malpaís de Güímar is regarded as one of the island’s most remarkable volcanic landscapes, notable for its geological features and rich biodiversity.
The Mayor of Güímar, Gustavo Pérez, praised the intervention and emphasised the importance of protecting the site: “The Malpaís de Güímar is a true gem in every sense. It is our duty to look after it and promote its value responsibly.”
He also highlighted the need for coordinated management due to the reserve’s surrounding zones. “The Malpaís is bordered by the neighbourhoods of El Socorro and the Güímar Industrial Estate, and the TF-1 motorway. This means control and preservation measures must be effectively coordinated between these areas.”
Calling the reserve “a living classroom of nature,” the mayor stressed its cultural and educational importance, with roots dating back to the aboriginal Guanche population. He reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to “conserve, protect, research, and promote the sustainability of the reserve as a fundamental goal for its future.”
The Cabildo also reiterated the vital role of public cooperation in preventing future littering and ensuring that these valuable ecosystems remain free of trash.
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