Environmental groups protest political removal of Els Ports Natural Park director

Fifteen organizations claim Toni Curcó was ousted for blocking projects harmful to the protected area's wildlife.

Generic image of the mountainous landscape of Els Ports Natural Park.
IA

Generic image of the mountainous landscape of Els Ports Natural Park.

A coalition of fifteen environmental and labor organizations denounced the removal of Toni Curcó as director of Els Ports Natural Park during a press conference this Wednesday in Tortosa.

The groups allege that the Generalitat's decision not to renew Curcó's term is a political move to bypass technical environmental hurdles. They claim that local mayors and business interests have pressured the government to install a more flexible management style that would allow construction projects currently blocked by conservation regulations.

"Dismissing a director for doing his job and ensuring the conservation of the park is very serious."

Xavi Jiménez · President of GEPEC-EdC
While the government delegation in Terres de l'Ebre argues the change aims for a more managerial profile to foster consensus with local municipalities, over 1,200 individuals and 80 organizations have signed a manifesto supporting Curcó. They warn that this situation could set a dangerous precedent for all natural parks in Catalonia.
A protest has been scheduled for this Saturday at 11:00 AM in front of the government headquarters in Tortosa. Activists demand that Sílvia Paneque, the Minister of Territory, intervene to guarantee that park management remains independent from political and economic pressures.