RIO GRANDE
Permaculturacañadulce adjoins in the south with river Rio Grande, one of the few rivers of Málaga that remains a wildlife sanctuary, and where the quality of the water is still good. The source of Rio Grande is in Yunquera, a white town located in the Natural Park and Reserve of the Biosphere ‘Sierra de las Nieves’ (decreed by UNESCO).
Rio Grande is torrential, creating much life in the area. But it is currently threatened by dam building plans, the National Hydrologic Plan, which intends to build 120 new dams in Spain, a country where we already have the second most dams in the world.
To avoid what we consider to be ecological, human and economical disaster, we have created a very active association, MAR (Board of Friends of the Rivers), where all stakeholders meet: politicians*, scientists, intellectuals, locals, urbanites, ecological associations, nature lovers, etc.
Since 2001, MAR has organised many actions and have made a substantial impact on the Malageño Environmental Movement. MAR has organised demonstrations, street theatre, informative talks on Sierra de las Nieves, appeared on radio, TV, in videos and in newspapers and magazines.
MAR organised the Andalusian Blue March which followed the Blue March to Brussels against the National Hydrologic Plan. MAR has published "Río Grande" by Francisco Puche, and we have received the Habitat Award from the Malaga Provincial Deputation.
Our aim is to remind people of the extraordinary value of a living river. We are part of an increasing movement, the Nueva Cultura del Agua (New Water Culture), which main goals are the preservation of rivers; good administration of water; and the use of appropriate technologies instead of obsolete solutions to water problems such as dam building.
At the same time, at the Economical European Community level, the European Water Board has been approved and from 2009 all European Governments will be obliged to care for their rivers.
*In May 2003, the Malaga Provincial Deputation passed a motion against the building of a dam in Rio Grande. The Community of Town Councils of the Natural Park and Biosphere Reserve Sierra de las Nieves, composed of nine towns, rejected the project as their pledge for a sustainable future.
Permaculturacañadulce, Buzón 14 La Charca, 29100 Coin, Malaga, Spain
matricialana @ gmail.com
Tel: (+34) 951 16 50 37 | Mob: (+34) 607 63 29 37