Cornalvo Natural Park project faces environmental opposition

The Fondo para la Defensa del Patrimonio Natural y Cultural de Extremadura (Fondenex) has filed objections against a proposed rural tourism project in the Cornalvo Natural Park, located near Mérida. The initiative involves converting an existing single-family home into a rural lodging facility on a 29.89-hectare estate.

Fondenex warns that the project could lead to the cutting of numerous century-old holm oaks and cause significant damage to local fauna and vegetation. The site is situated within a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) and a Special Area of Conservation (ZEC).

While the developer's environmental impact study does not explicitly mention tree removal, the ecological group claims the study contemplates the elimination of holm oaks. Fondenex has also criticized the rigor of the environmental assessment, noting that it may underestimate risks such as noise, light pollution, soil alteration, increased fire hazards, and the contamination of streams and aquifers.