Canary Islands tourism to fund removal of Saladar
The parcel occupied by the former plant will be environmentally restored with a €250,000 contribution from the Canary Islands Government’s Tourism Department, reinforcing ongoing work in this protected and emblematic area of southern Fuerteventura.
The “Naturalisation of the Saladar de Jandía” project, financed with €249,815, will demolish the old facility, restore the terrain and promote the ecological recovery of this protected space.
Political consensus to solve a local problem
Politics is not only about betrayals and missteps; sometimes officials find common ground to address pressing issues. The municipality of Pájara and the Cabildo—which have been working for years to meet the complex needs of the Saladar de Jandía—have secured support from the Government of the Canary Islands to remove the former wastewater plant.
Three leaders of the island’s main parties—Lola García (CC), Alejandro Jorge (PSOE) and Jéssica de León (PP)—posed together on the morning of Friday, 10 April, to announce the Tourism Department’s contribution to the refurbishment of the Saladar, a site of great ecological value now framed between the tourist zone and the beach of Morro Jable.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy concerning the future of this protected area. Since 2022, the Cabildo has been processing a minor amendment to the Conservation Rules of the Scientific Interest Site “Playa del Matorral” with two main goals: improving access and, especially, regularising existing buildings and installations inside the Saladar. Additionally, the Cabildo has launched a pilot project to eradicate invasive plants by suffocation.
Tourism Councilor Marlene Figueroa (PSOE) highlighted that the action is included in the Cabildo’s “Fuerte by Nature” Sustainable Tourism Destination Plan, receiving the necessary €249,815 investment from the Canary Islands Tourism Department.
Restoring the area to its natural state
The project, called “Naturalisation of the Saladar de Jandía,” will demolish the former plant and rehabilitate the roughly 9,000 m² parcel it occupies, now that the Cabildo and the Pájara municipality have finally obtained the required permission from the coastal authority.
The works will be carried out in several phases:
- Dismantle and remove the deteriorating plant structure, whose underground tank is in a ruinous state.
- Restore the land’s geomorphology and remove the current fill to bring the Saladar back to its natural elevation, lowering the platform from the present 3.40 m to the original 2.50 m. Specific monitoring will ensure that the roots of existing vegetation are not exposed.
- Re‑grade the area using screened earth to shape the terrain and create a protective slope.
- Landscape the slope’s base with 104 native plants, including species such as algoera, matabrusca, uva de mar and three varieties of tarajal.
Institutional collaboration funded by EU Next‑Generation funds
Tourism and Employment Councilor Jéssica de León, Cabildo President Lola García, and Tourism Councilor Marlene Figueroa visited the site, with the intervention financed by Next Generation EU funds provided by the regional government.
“Our vision of tourism has evolved; we no longer accept the classic model of sun and beach alone. We defend a vision where the natural environment and local identity play a central role. In this context, intervening in unique spaces like the Saladar de Jandía, a symbol of our natural heritage, is an absolute priority.” – Jéssica de León
“With this intervention we not only renew an emblematic area, but we restore its original value and beauty to this space declared a Site of Scientific Interest.” – Jéssica de León
“When the Cabildo of Fuerteventura launched this project, we did so with a clear objective: to improve a space of extremely high environmental value such as the Saladar de Jandía. This action reflects the island model we defend, where tourism development is compatible with environmental protection.” – Lola García
“The economic support from the Government of the Canary Islands, together with joint work with the municipality, shows how administrations can collaborate to recover natural spaces and move toward more sustainable tourism.” – Lola García
“These kinds of actions demonstrate that the tourism of the future depends on caring for what makes us unique. Through the ‘Fuerte by Nature’ programme, we are promoting projects that not only improve the destination’s image but also generate a direct positive impact on the environment and the quality of life of island residents.” – Marlene Figueroa
“The collaboration between administrations allows us to undertake actions for the benefit of our neighbours. In this sense, we highlight the naturalisation of the Saladar de Jandía, a project that has been a long‑standing goal, as it not only means environmental recovery but also enhances the image and beautification of our urban environment.” – Alejandro Jorge, Mayor of Pájara