It is now exactly three years since the end of the deadline for objections (of which there were 260) to the so-called Plan of Management of Natural Resources (PORN) covering the heavily protected Maro-Cerro Gordo area, but no regional approval has yet been received.
The Maro-Cerro Gordo area, home to many important species of plant and marine life, has been heavily protected for the past 21 years.
The Council is keen to set out specific rules on what can or can’t be built or developed in the area so that everyone knows exactly where they stand and can act accordingly.
In the past, both the Council and the AEN, the association of employers, have expressed their desire to build tourism related facilities, such as hotels, in the area but are prevented from doing so due to the protection afforded the area. Vehicular access to the natural park, which covers 1,815 hectares, is restricted and fishing is forbidden in certain areas.
The Maro-Cerro Gordo natural park has a unique ecosystem with an abundance of flora and fauna. So what is so wrong about leaving such an area free from all the tourist trappings such as hotels, car parks and other constructions? Surely a better solution would be to leave it in its natural state and organise regular and suitable transportation to such areas.