Agonane denounces “an environmental and historic heritage attack” over works at Cho Julián cistern in Villaverde

The Agonane Ecological and Cultural Collective has called for works being carried out on rural land in Villaverde, in the municipality of La Oliva, to be halted, saying they could damage the environment and heritage around the Cho Julián cistern. The organisation alleges that a large machine has spent several days opening a track across the catchment area of this historic water infrastructure, a surface essential for collecting and channelling rainwater.

Agonane describes the work as “an environmental and historic heritage attack” and is calling for it to stop to prevent “further harm”.

The association warns that the affected land is vital to the operation of the old water-harvesting system.

It points out that catchment areas are surfaces designed to collect runoff and channel rainwater into cisterns. These traditional structures are linked to how Fuerteventura’s population adapted to scarce water resources.

An area inhabited by four protected bird species

The complaint also draws attention to the area’s biodiversity. Agonane says the site of the works is a habitat for four protected bird species: the ruddy shelduck, the Eurasian stone-curlew, the cream-coloured courser and the Canarian houbara bustard.

The collective notes that the Canarian houbara bustard is classified as endangered, while the cream-coloured courser is listed as vulnerable in Spain’s Catalogue of Threatened Species. The ruddy shelduck and Eurasian stone-curlew are subject to special protection.

Agonane argues that altering this land could affect the conservation conditions for these species. It also points out that environmental legislation prohibits certain activities that damage their breeding, wintering or resting sites.

In this connection, the association refers to Article 334 of the Penal Code, which provides for penalties for the destruction or serious alteration of the habitat of protected species where the legally established requirements are met.

Protecting water heritage

The complaint also cites the historic value of the Cho Julián cistern and its catchment area.

Agonane says that La Oliva Town Council, the Fuerteventura Island Council and the Canary Islands Government are aware of the heritage importance of this water system and hold documentation about its existence.

The submission includes a plan from the Historical Archive of the municipality of La Oliva identifying the Cho Julián catchment area, as documentary evidence of this traditional infrastructure.

The organisation notes that sites of historical or ethnographic value may be subject to conservation requirements even if they have not been specifically designated as an Asset of Cultural Interest.

Warning of possible flooding

Alongside the heritage and environmental damage, the collective is concerned about the possible effects of altering the land on water flows during periods of heavy rain.

Agonane warns of a “potential risk of flooding in the area” and says changes to this catchment surface could affect natural runoff and create a danger to wildlife, property and even people.

For these reasons, the Agonane Ecological and Cultural Collective is demanding that the works be suspended and is asking the relevant authorities to intervene to prevent further damage to the area.

In its submission, it specifically calls for “the works to be halted to prevent ‘further harm’”. It also warns of possible civil or criminal liability if damage occurs and the responsible authorities are found to have failed to act.

The association is also asking to be recognised as an interested party in any proceedings that may be opened, with access to the case files and the right to receive information about any decisions made.