The ecologist group, Buxus has described the recent Gualchos, mountain-brush fire as an ‘ecological disaster.’ The group condemns the fact there have been 20 attempts to set the area alight in recent years.

Over 100 hectares were destroyed in a protected area, classified as of great environmental value by the European Union. The group says around a third of the Sierra de Gualchos has been destroyed, along with many plant specimens that are in danger of extinction: white rosemary, baby palm, boxthorn and mastic tree, to name a few.

Because of the constant ‘arson attacks’ on the area, Buxus is demanding that the relevant administrations take a hand in the prevention of such attacks.

Furthermore, they are extremely worried about the preservation of the Lujar alcornocal (cork-oak woods), which is slowly being abandoned and yet is a ‘botanical jewel and irreplaceable’ in their opinion.

Anybody that has ever taken the back road to Gualchos via Puntalon in Motril will have seen this magnificent woodland and would share Buxus’s concern for the area, especially as it borders with the arsonist-targeted Sierra de Gualchos.

(News: Gualchos, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)