Manitaga Fountain, a Tuineje Marvel

Cabildo and Tuineje Town Council Begin Restoring the Trail and Surrounding Stone Walls of Gavias and “Nateros”

Work has already started around the Manitaga spring as part of a restoration project devised by the Cabildo’s Works and Machinery Service, in collaboration with the Tuineje Town Council. The initiative is carried out under the “Fuerteventura, Beautiful by Nature” programme. Manitaga is the first of several projects aimed at reviving Fuerteventura’s natural springs.

According to island president Lola García, the goal is to protect the spring’s ecosystems—both its flora and wildlife—as part of the island’s water culture.

“Fuerteventura has these resources throughout its territory, which are essential for harnessing water, especially during rainy periods like the ones we have experienced in recent months.”

The restoration of the Manitaga spring’s surroundings enjoys the support of the landowner, the Tuineje Town Council, and coordination with other Cabildo departments and relevant agencies.

Blas Acosta, Councillor for Works and Machinery, explains:

“The constant rains this winter highlight the importance of this water culture that exists across the island in the form of gavias, ponds, natural springs, etc.”

“Now we can see the fruit of the restoration work on all those traditional infrastructures, which in dry years captured the few rains and ambient humidity, filtering them down to the aquifer. With good rainfall today, they return to the surface as natural springs, wild vegetation, and crops,” he adds.

Work on the Ground

The project was commissioned by the Cabildo’s Works and Machinery Service through its own Territorial and Environmental Management and Planning unit (Gesplan), under the “Fuerteventura, Beautiful by Nature” programme.

The crews have begun work around the Manitaga spring, focusing on:

• Reconditioning the old trail to connect various agricultural and scenic points of interest. The trail will feature a rest area and a visual viewpoint over the landscape.
• Rehabilitating stone walls of gavias and “nateros” present in the area.

Subsequent steps will include:

• Removing stones and accumulated earth from the spring, which have been deposited by runoff and currently hinder water flow.
• Constructing a small stone structure to protect the spring from future runoff, completing the rehabilitation and beautification of the site.