River rewilding on the way
WORK to rewild the mouth of the River Vinalopó is going to be undertaken by Elche city hall and the regional government to prevent flooding that sometimes causes problems in the south of the municipality.
The project, which will cover approximately 50 hectares, is being drawn up this year with a significant portion of the €1.2 million in EU funds assigned for environmental restoration of the river.
The regional department for ecological transition has set a schedule of two years to complete the job.
During a visit to the area on Monday by local and regional authorities, mayor Carlos González emphasised the importance of resolving the historical and environmental flooding problems that cause significant incidents affecting infrastructure such as the N332 and road from the city to the rural district of La Marina.
According to regional secretary
for ecological transition, Paula Tuzón, initiatives like this are very important for the resilience of ecosystems against climate change, and to protect the coast.
She also highlighted the importance of integrating green corridors into cities to conserve flora, fauna and the environment in general.
Elche environment councillor Esther Díez thanked the regional department for the comprehensive restoration of the Vinalopó, which is one of the principal natural corridors connecting the reservoir with El Hondo natural park.
This is investing in a live ecosystem in order to prevent flooding at the end of the river and to restore it from an environmental point of view, she added.