La Oliva Council Acts to Prevent Environmental Degradation and Illegal Dumping in El Cotillo
The Environment Department leads an exemplary operation, grounded in legality, prevention, and social sensitivity, to protect the municipality’s surroundings and image, the council says in a statement.
The La Oliva municipality has carried out a comprehensive intervention in the coastal area of El Cotillo to stop environmental degradation, waste accumulation, and the emergence of unauthorized residential uses on several private plots.
The operation, driven and coordinated by the Environment Department, was executed in close collaboration with the Local Police, environmental guides, and municipal cleaning services. It forms part of a lengthy and complex administrative file that required months of monitoring, technical inspections, police reports, and formal notices to landowners.
During the actions, authorities:
- Removed abandoned vehicles used as residences
- Properly managed accumulated waste and belongings
- Transported derelict vehicles to dismantling facilities
At the same time, the council provided information, accompaniment, and logistical support to people present in the area, acting with empathy and respect.
“Many of the people who were continuously occupying these spaces have a primary home or a second residence, so this was not a case of widespread social exclusion, but rather of land uses that did not comply with current regulations and that generated negative environmental and visual impacts,” the council clarified.
Official Statements
Mayor Isaí Blanco emphasized the institutional responsibility behind the operation:
“Our duty is to protect the environment, coexistence, and the image of the municipality. We have acted with sensitivity, listening and accompanying residents, but also with firmness to prevent irregular situations from becoming chronic and turning into larger problems.”
Environment Councilor David Fajardo highlighted the effort of his department:
“This action is the result of months of discreet and constant work. From Environment we have led a preventive, dialogic, and coordinated process to stop certain areas from turning into illegal settlements and to ensure that the land remains clean, safe, and in proper condition.”
The council reiterated that private plots must be kept clean, safe, and sanitary—not only for aesthetic or tourism reasons, but also for public health and risk prevention, such as fire hazards and unsanitary conditions.
Ongoing and Future Measures
Some of the more serious cases have already been referred to the Canary Islands Government’s Natural Environment Protection Agency, while the La Oliva council will continue monitoring to avoid the re‑appearance of illegal uses.
Through these actions, the La Oliva municipality reaffirms its commitment to an orderly, sustainable, and respectful community, where environmental protection, legality, and coexistence remain fundamental pillars.