The dark temptation of the Tramuntana mountain range

The Consell de Mallorca (PP and Vox), presided over by the unflappable Llorenç Galmés, has presented its draft bill for the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, based entirely on the concept of 'administrative simplification'. 'Administrative simplification' is the idea most frequently championed by the two coalition partners, the PP and Vox, and they have pushed through a significant amount of legislation around it: first, the Simplification Decree; then, the law of the same name with its urban planning amnesty (and the green light for building in flood-prone areas); followed by the Sánchez-era housing law. These are the flagship laws of this legislative term, always guided, of course, by the spirit of administrative simplification.

'Administrative simplification' is one of those technical terms designed so that no one quite understands what they mean, and in this case, it can be translated with a very Spanish expression: get rid of the obstacles. In general, it's about continuing a policy of disorderly and uncontrolled urban growth that favors speculation and, therefore, the easy enrichment of certain business and financial sectors that, surprise surprise, tend to be aligned with right-wing and far-right parties, and that often contribute significantly to their funding.

So far, so normal in what needs to be a happy PP-Vox marriage. The Serra de Tramuntana, however, is something else entirely. It is a highly protected natural area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most admired, studied, and beloved places in the Mediterranean, which has captivated the interest of hundreds of scientists and artists throughout history, as well as countless generations who have climbed it in search of fresh air, of light, of sky, of a place to live. It has been and is a place of farmers, shepherds, growers, and rural communities. It's a myth, a treasure, a truly special place that we Mallorcans have the right to be proud of, even though we haven't done anything to enjoy it, except be born and live on this island. The asphalt-and-cement right wing has always viewed the Serra de Tramuntana as a dark object of desire, an ideal habitat for lucrative real estate and tourism developments. But they've never quite dared to go in for the kill, even though we can count urban planning irregularities all over the Serra and it has endured the torture of quads, buggies, motorcycles, BMX bikes, and every other wheeled junk imaginable for many years.

That's why, when a Council governed by the PP and Vox parties begins the process of creating a law for the Serra de Tramuntana, the reasons for distrust are at their peak. However, we must wait and see how the project unfolds: whether it's true that the protected area will be expanded, that quad biking and recreational activities will be limited, and that the well-being of residents will be prioritized; whether there will be a penalty system (with fines of up to one million euros) against anyone who inflicts serious damage on the land; and whether it will focus on traditional buildings, not on speculators. If all this is the case, then perhaps this law isn't misguided. If, on the contrary, all these proposals have fine print (that is, a catch) and are just words to mask the same old inclinations, and if—as a consequence of all this—we Mallorcans end up destroying the Serra de Tramuntana as well, due to the greed and avarice of a few, then being a scoundrel will become Mallorcan.