M. J. Cruzado
Environmentalists’ requests for the Gamonal reservoir to be protected have been rejected by the Junta
The Balsa del Gamonal is a small privately-owned reservoir in the Entrerríos area of Mijas, just a hundred metres from the River Ojén. The reservoir, which covers no more than a hectare, is used for the irrigation of local avocado crops and olive groves. Two years ago the environment association Ecologistas en Acción, with the support of Mijas Town Hall, applied to the regional Environment Department for this small lake to be included in the official Wetlands Network of Andalucía on the grounds that it is a small haven for wildlife that requires protection. Not far away are golf courses and building sites and the environmentalists claim that “municipal plans to rezone a large area of rustic land for building very close to the lagoon” will have a negative effect on the area’s biodiversity. The Balsa del Gamonal, they claim, is a “necessary habitat” for numerous species, especially birds, some of which are in danger of extinction, for example the little bittern.
Nevertheless the Junta de Andalucía has rejected the application claiming that the Balsa does not fulfil the requirements to become a protected wetland of Andalucía. On one hand, they claim, the reservoir was not only created artificially by damming two streams but is also maintained artificially by water pumped from a well in the river. This has meant that large numbers of fish, such as carp and barbel, have entered the reservoir, preventing the aquatic system from developing to greater complexity. Furthermore a number of invasive species such as the red crab, terrapins and goldfish have been introduced by the human hand. The report also states that while the reservoir is occasionally used as a resting place for some bitterns and other birds, it is not their natural habitat.
The Junta stressed that work could be carried out to restore the natural habitat but this would require the collaboration of the owners of the land, Finca El Gamonal S.A.
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