Paradise protection

Betty Henderson PROTECTION is on the horizon for a local beauty spot. The official process to declare Sierra Escalona and Dehesa de Campoamor as a Natural Park was set in motion on Tuesday, May 16.

Spanning across the area between the towns of Orihuela, San Miguel de Salinas, and Pilar de la Horadada, this breathtaking area is set to receive the recognition and protection it deserves.

The decision to seek recognition as a national park was motivated by residents and authorities’ recognition of the remarkable environmental, scenic, and cultural values of the region.

Additionally, the area’s potential for public use, such as educational activities and responsible enjoyment of the natural surroundings, is a further reason for seeking this protected status.

The regional body which maintains national parks in the Valencian Community is particularly well ­ suited for managing areas like Sierra Escalona and Dehesa de Campoamor, where the intertwining of human activity and the rural environment has shaped the unique environment. Authorities are seeking protection under the Protected Natural Areas Law of the Valencian Community. This legal framework would safeguard valuable natural spaces while ensuring sustainable use of resources in sectors including forestry and hunting.