In the early hours of Tuesday, March 5, an illegal settlement of at least twenty campers and tents on a beach in the Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Park was cleared. The nature reserve is located east of Nerja on the border of the provinces of Málaga and Granada.
The eviction was carried out on Las Alberquillas beach in Nerja in a joint operation between the Guardia Civil and local police. SUR writes that the organisation GENA-Ecologistas en Acción has repeatedly exposed problems with illegal camping in the park. The last time was at the end of January. And now action has finally been taken. According to experts, it is normal in the winter months for this area to be flooded by hundreds of campers and tents. This is a thorn in the side of nature lovers, who mainly see the harmful effects of campers in the area.
Cleaning follows evacuation
After the evacuation, staff from the Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua (AAMM) of the Junta de Andalucía cleaned the area. The Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo nature reserve is formed by a narrow strip along the coast. It extends for twelve kilometres and a mile inland and is protected by strict regulations. According to Decree 6/2015 of January 20, overnight parking of caravans, campers and similar vehicles is prohibited. Camping is also not allowed, as there are no designated camping areas within this protected nature reserve.
A nature reserve of great value
The Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Park is known for its impressive and steep cliffs. Moreover, these can be up to 75 metres high, interspersed with beautiful beaches and small coves. These features are the result of erosion and sea retreat on the last foothills of the Sierra de Almijara. The park is home to a rich biodiversity, both on land and within the nautical mile. The combination of steep cliffs, hidden beaches, and the underwater world creates unique habitats for marine life. These include various types of fish, corals, and sea anemones. Above water, the cliffs and surrounding vegetation provide shelter for birds, reptiles, and mammals.
Also read: Coast of Almería flooded by campers on the way to Morocco
