Gastronomic-Paradise

"Ecologists, engineers, and farmers argue that the law is being distorted, preventing them from cleaning the mountain"

Online platform propagates the notion that clearing forests is forbidden, fueling multiple infernos; our site clarifies this issue in collaboration with experts

, and Administrator

2025 September 8 . 2:02 AM

2 min read

"Restrictions on Mountain Cleaning": A Look at the Controversial Interpretation of the Law as... — "Restrictions on Mountain Cleaning": A Look at the Controversial Interpretation of the Law as Perceived by Ecologists, Engineers and Farmers

"Ecologists, engineers, and farmers argue that the law is being distorted, preventing them from cleaning the mountain"

In Spain, the management and exploitation of forests and mountains are subject to a series of regulations designed to protect the environment and ensure fire safety. The Forestry Law, as well as its autonomous counterparts, are surprisingly protective, leading to overregulation in some cases.

The law requires public administrations to ensure the conservation, protection, restoration, improvement, and orderly use of forests. Activities like clearing and removing trees require permits from the autonomous community's council, which are verified by a forest warden.

Controlled burns and wood waste disposal are also regulated to prevent wildfires. Local residents must follow these legal rules, which often include permits for controlled burning and rules for proper disposal of forest residues. However, detailed regulations can vary regionally within Spain, as forestry is partly managed by autonomous communities.

The approval of these requests depends on factors such as the presence of protected species and specific conditions like the time of year, limitations, and avoiding damage. Technicians avoid using the word "clean" when discussing forest management because it gives the idea that anything on the ground is bad.

Neighbors in various regions express complaints about administrative silence and restrictions, such as delays in responding to requests for permits and restrictions on activities like controlled burns. In some cases, collecting brush from a field without a license can result in fines.

The complexity of requesting authorizations for tasks of exploitation is highlighted by Carlos Martín. In the Madrid Community, a project for the organization of the mountains is required, while other unmanaged mountains must have an approved and valid project for the organization or technical plan.

Inés González Doncel emphasizes that the limitations and regulation of the exploitation of the mountains block many activities. Meanwhile, Miguel Ángel Soto states that authorizations are required for activities like clearing and removing trees.

Recently, a post about a person collecting debris along the road on social media has been shared over 3,000 times since August 19, indicating a growing concern among the public about the regulations governing forest management. Burning is also subject to regulations, only allowed on specific days, without wind, with a certain level of humidity, etc.

Despite these regulations, the mountains in Spain are often abandoned due to their fluctuating markets and protectionist policies that make exploiting the natural resources unprofitable. The last line of defence are the forest rangers or environmental agents, and it's left to their discretion whether what is being done is correct or not.