Ecologists and other groups are expressing concern about the damage being done to the Rio Chillar area of Nerja, particularly above the quarry area, through unrestricted access.
During the summer months, hundreds of people flock to this area of natural beauty on the edge of the Sierra Almijara natural park. Families on picnics, swimmers enjoying a cooling dip, ramblers and others all head for the wide open spaces. But at a cost.
The area has become littered with all sorts of garbage, from plastic bags to household items (you do wonder how they get old fridges and the like up there!), and the ground is scorched from numerous fires and barbecues.
The call is for some sort of control on access to the area, particularly for vehicles, something which is common in most other similar areas. The head of the Natural Park of Sierra Almijara, Ricardo Salas, is exploring the possibility of introducing access controls under the current, and numerous, legislation, such as the Plan of Management of Natural Resources (PORN).
The Nerja Council is well aware of the concern being voiced by the various groups and is in favour of the Junta de Andalucía introducing certain restrictions on use of the area. As far as action by the Council itself is concerned, they had planned a day of cleaning in the area, in conjunction with Casa Argentina, but this was postponed due to the possibility of inclement weather.
The Rio Chillar, however, is not the only ‘outer’ area of the town where such problems occur!