They present more than 3,000 signatures against the Serra law: "If it is everyone's heritage, it cannot be closed"

PalmThe law of the Serra de Tramuntana on which the Consell de Mallorca is working has generated a wave of allegations. The Dret de Pas platform is one of the groups that has spoken out against the current wording of the law, which they believe will close access to a large number of paths and leave them in the hands of landowners. "If it is the heritage of all, the Serra de Tramuntana cannot be closed," claimed Pep Estopà, its spokesperson. The organization was formed almost spontaneously a month and a half ago, when Estopà, who is a cyclist, and other colleagues learned of the Consell's plans. In just a month and a half of campaigning, they have collected 3,364 signatures in support of their allegations.

Among the main points of criticism, the platform denounces the general prohibition of mountain biking (BTT), and presents various studies according to which it does not damage the territory. Estopà has also warned of the usurpation of numerous public paths by owners. "We agree that things should be regulated, but it must be done well," explained Estopà: "This is a de facto closure of the Serra, because permits will be requested to pass, impossible permits". In his opinion, there is currently "a climate of coexistence", while the prohibition of passage or subjecting access to the presentation of permits "is unfeasible".

"The Sierra is a universal heritage," Estopà continued. "It makes no sense to close paths, when the catalog of public paths that should have been created in 2018 hasn't even been done," he continued. The amateur cyclist explains that they have the support of amateur athletes and hikers, but also of climbing walls, yoga centers, gyms, and hiking clubs. He gave an example of the scope of this law, if it moves forward without modifications. "On the old road between Palma and Puigpunyent there are seven private properties, and in some cases, it's impossible to know who they belong to," he explained: "If it's already complicated to document the paths, imagine clarifying this."

The platform has met with the minister Toni Fuster and the insular director of the Serra de Tramuntana, Antoni Solivellas, to address the issue. "In principle, they have shown willingness to accept some allegations," he said. "We want these changes to be made".

EL PSIB and El Pi present amendments

The PSIB has presented 35 amendments to the articles of the bill, whose public exposition period ends this Wednesday. The leader of the socialist federation of Mallorca, Amanda Fernández, has considered that "the fine print of the law is worrying". In this regard, the PSIB spokesperson in the Consell, Catalina Cladera, has asked that the law recognize the historical role of women in the preservation of the Serra, that it guarantee generational renewal in agricultural work, as well as greater balance between private property and the general interest, for which reason access to traditional public paths must be granted with the elaboration of catalogs, without asking for permits. She also requested that the financing of the governing bodies of the Serra be increased, with 1% of the Consell's annual budget for endowment, and an equivalent amount from the Govern.

For its part, El Pi (now in Coalición por Mallorca) has also presented amendments. "This law cannot turn the Serra into an empty space," she said: "The territory must be protected, but also the people who live in it." Among the proposals, the incorporation of traditional fishing activity and the protection of associated heritage, such as jetties and fishermen's huts, as permitted, stand out, as well as the recognition of olive porches, allowing the agricultural use to be compatible with a residential use linked to the exploitation. "Mallorcans must be able to live on their land with dignified work and housing," she stated: "Without this, any protection law is doomed to failure."