The Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has spent over 44% of its budget on the Doñana protection and revitalization plans. A total of 329 million euros have been allocated from the 745.3 million planned in the comprehensive strategy, which aims to restore the environment and promote economic development in the fourteen municipalities surrounding the natural area.
Hugo Morán, Secretary of State for the Environment, announced these figures at the Doñana Participation Council session in El Acebuche, Almonte (Huelva). The reports from the Doñana Technical Office, which oversees project coordination, highlight progress across multiple areas, including water management and support for agriculture.
Among the environmental advances is the reduction of irregular crops under plastic in the Northern Forest Crown, which stood at 547 hectares, 20% less than the previous year, according to the Guadalquivir Hydrographic Confederation. The statutes of the Marismas and La Rocina Groundwater User Communities have also been approved, along with a plan to reduce water abstractions by 15% by 2026. At the same time, work has begun on the renovation of the Los Mimbrales estate, with an investment of more than six million euros.
In the socio-economic sector, the Biodiversity Foundation is preparing to issue a call for 28.5 million euros in aid to restore natural habitats on farmland, with an initial phase covering up to 400 hectares. "There will be as many calls as necessary to ensure that nobody is left out of the framework," said Morán. Additionally, 11.5 million has been allocated to nine projects focused on agricultural, forestry, and livestock innovation.
The program also promotes the green transition and economic diversification of nearby municipalities, which have already received the 70 million euros allocated. Additionally, grants administered by the Ministries of Inclusion and Housing aim to enhance living conditions for agricultural workers and vulnerable settlements.
The sanitation and water treatment sector has a total budget exceeding 192 million euros, with 125 million already spent. Ongoing projects involve the new Isla Mayor treatment plant, the modernization of the Lucena del Puerto facility, and the construction of new infrastructure in Gerena and Burguillos. Additionally, there are projects like the EDAR's Emisario Puerto collector in Seville and the Tamarguillo pumping station.
Source: agrodiariohuelva.es
