As the Easter holiday season begins flocks of people will be leaving Spain’s larger cities for a break in the countryside, and it’s an appropriate time to remember the implications of a new law concerning environmental protection which was passed by the national government in December 2013.

 

The main changes in the new legislation are a drastic increase in the fines which can be imposed on those committing offences against the environment in protected nature areas. For example, the fines for unauthorized camping, leaving rubbish, driving off-road and even cross-country cycling have been raised to 5,001 euros in an attempt to deter people from infringing regulations. The highest fines included in the new law are 2.4 million euros.

 

As a result, while of course attempting to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors in regional parks, regional governments all over Spain are at the same time informing members of the public about the consequences of breaching environmental rules. Those setting out into the mountains are being informed upon entering protected areas, informative leaflets are being circulated by regional park authorities and posters are being placed in areas of high visibility to ensure that nobody can be guilty of breaking the law through ignorance.

 

In the Region of Murcia most emphasis is being placed on three common infringements, namely unauthorized camping, parking outside designated areas (this is a problem especially in El Valle and Sierra Espuña) and cross-country sports, including those involving motor vehicles of all descriptions. The practice of unauthorized cross-country motor-biking or quad-biking is being clamped down on, with environmental officers striving to ensure that motorbikes are not used on forest paths, flood channels or indeed anywhere except public roads, and that the speed limit of 30km/h on these roads is adhered to.

 

At the same time, even cyclists are coming under scrutiny: there are specially designated paths for cyclists in Sierra Espuña and El Valle-Carrascoy, but in other areas off-road mountain-biking is strictly prohibited in order to avoid “degradation” of the environment.

 

Ramblas (floodwater river beds) are considered to be apt for use as long as there is a compacted surface on which vehicles can be used, but if this is not the case then cyclist, quad-bikers and motor-cyclists using them will be subject to possible fines, and the same ruling applies to those on foot.