ISSUE NO. 1615
16 - 22 June 2016
Stop Press
AXARQUÍA - COSTA TROPICAL YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION
Baby rescued
DON’T MISS OUR HEALTH AND BEAUTY SUPPLEMENT ! PAGES 27 - 30
Council’s concern for nature zone The arrival of the heat and the first rescue operation on Saturday (June 11), when a hiker broke his knee by Nerja’s Rio Chillar, has sparked concern over the dangers of the area’s sudden popularity. Over the last 10 years or so the beautiful area beside the river has come to the attention of so-called ‘domingueros’ who flock to the site, part of the Sierras Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama natural park. Holidaymakers and residents from all over the Axarquia and Costa del Sol are attracted to Rio Chillar, which usually carries water even during drought, however a complete lack of control of the numbers of people allowed in at once, vandalism and a general lack of care for the environment are causing serious problems. Although Nerja Council has suggested to the Junta de Andalucia regional government that visits are somehow limited, as is the case in other parts of the park, the Junta claims this is not feasible. Environmental Councillor Jorge Bravo said: “we’re very worried by these crowds, which turn up and head off up the river loaded down with all sorts of stuff as if they were going for a day on the beach. “The Rio Chillar is not a beach, it’s a very delicate envi-
ALMUÑECAR fire brigade had its work cut out at the weekend getting a one-yearold baby out of a locked car
in La Herradura. The rescue took an hour, but luckily the child was unharmed. See page 6
New eviction Flickr by Emilio J. Rodrigez-Posada.
By Eleanor Hawkins
WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM
NERJA authorities have once again had to evict campers from La Caleta de Maro beach, just six weeks after a camp was destroyed and 20 campers thrown out. This time, seven people have been charged. See page 8
Reward offered THE new statue to honour organ donors, unveiled outside Motril hospital just a couple of weeks ago, has disappeared. As the po-
lice investigate, the association which donated the bronze sculpture has offered a reward. See page 9
Board game star NERJA’S Balcon de Europa is to feature on a new Costa del Sol version of the Monopoly board game which has been announced this week. See page 12
Hope in sight ronment which deserves respect, not rubbish, graffiti and parked cars,” the councillor complained. Although unable to restrict numbers, the Junta is drawing up a self-protection plan for the area. The council has sent its suggestions and hopes the plan will be ready soon and will at least provide guidelines for emergencies, which are becoming more and more common. “It will outline security areas, emergency accesses and protocols for emergencies,” said Bra-
vo, who reminded the public that parking on the access lanes is strictly forbidden. This year a parking area at the old quarry will also remain closed, meaning visitors will have no choice but to park in the area by Calle Mirto before reaching the river. The council also intends to install large signs warning of the risks and stressing basic regulations to be followed. Once the summer is over, the council has announced, it will no
doubt as in previous years have to organise a volunteer clean-up of the area, as there are bound to be people who fail to clear up after themselves.
SOHA and other associations have been meeting representatives of political groups in the Andalucian Parliament and hope that amendments to
the planning law due to be voted upon in parliament in July are approved. See page 15