Steps in the right direction

PROTECTED land in Andalucia could double over the next year as the authorities work to have more areas recognised.

Malaga Province has 41 areas which the Environmental Boards of Malaga Provincial Council and the Junta de Andalucia regional government are working to have made special conservation areas by the European Union before January 1, 2016.

The boards are hurrying to get documents and applications in order to apply to the European authorities for recognition of areas including the Sierra Blanca in Marbella and the Sierra de Camarolos in Antequera.

The Sierra de las Nieves, Laguna de Fuente de Piedra, El Torcal in Antequera, Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja in Estepona, Sierra Crestellina in Casares and the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge in the Guadalhorce Valley have already been accepted as conservation areas.