The preservation of Gran Canaria's natural and cultural heritage has entered a critical phase following the Island Council's decision to forward a series of technical reports to the Nature Protection Service (Seprona) of the Civil Guard regarding the construction work carried out by the company Costa Canaria de Veneguera, SA in the area of the same name. This enclave, located in the heart of the Nublo Rural Park and recognized as a Biosphere Reserve, is under scrutiny by the authorities after interventions were detected that have jeopardized priceless archaeological treasures.
The action taken by the island council responds to requests made last week by the Seprona (Nature Protection Service of the Civil Guard). The reports, the result of a thorough investigation carried out by the council, detail a series of damages classified as "very serious." According to technicians from the Historical Heritage Service, the earthmoving and clearing works have directly affected the Site of Cultural Interest (BIC) known as the Cañada de la Mar Archaeological Zone. The analysis reveals an intrusion of up to 17 meters into the BIC, resulting in the alteration or total destruction of five archaeological sites, most notably Lomo de Los Gatos de Tabaibales and Lomo de la Canal.
The conclusions of the Historical Heritage department are unequivocal: the actions lacked the required comprehensive archaeological study, an essential document given the high concentration of remains from pre-Hispanic communities in the area. Given the magnitude of the loss, the Island Council has forwarded the case to the Government of the Canary Islands, the entity with the power to impose sanctions in matters of cultural heritage protection. The experts emphasize that the destruction of these assets is "irreparable," depriving the island of fundamental elements for understanding its aboriginal past.
The Department of the Environment maintains an equally firm stance. The detected irregularities have been reported to the Canary Islands Agency for the Protection of the Natural Environment so that appropriate sanctioning procedures can be initiated for potential urban planning violations. Furthermore, the island council denounces the lack of basic environmental safety procedures. According to the records, neither the Mogán City Council nor the company that owns the land has requested the environmental compatibility report, a mandatory requirement before any work can be carried out in a highly protected area such as the Nublo Rural Park.
The lack of access to the properties, which has been blocked by the company, has forced the island administration to deploy aerial resources to assess the extent of the damage. Last Friday, a helicopter from the Island Council, accompanied by Environmental Agents, flew over the area to inspect the work carried out on the ground. This measure underscores the Gran Canaria Island Council's determination to halt any activity that compromises the balance of an area that, in addition to its historical value, is a key habitat for bird conservation and is home to ecosystems of community interest.
While the Seprona (Nature Protection Service of the Civil Guard) analyzes the documentation and continues its investigation, the Veneguera Ravine has become the scene of an administrative and legal battle. The clash between development projects on the agricultural estate and strict environmental protection regulations marks the beginning of a process that will determine whether the works carried out had the necessary legal authorization or whether, on the contrary, a systematic plundering of the archaeological and natural heritage of all Gran Canarians has been committed. The Island Council continues its monitoring, maintaining its focus on protecting one of the island's most unique and sensitive environments.
