Illegal water extraction

MORE than 180 people have been investigat‐ed following the illegal extraction of water on lands in the Axarquia region.

The drought is wreaking havoc throughout the province of Malaga, but the farmers of the Axarquia region are most affected so far be‐cause of the drought situation and no sign of rainfall to improve it.

At the moment 180 people, including farm‐ers are being investigated by the Nature Pro‐tection Service (Seprona). The officers dealing with the case have already begun to take state‐ments from those involved.

The investigation came about as the result of a complaint from the specialised unit of the Armed Institute and Environmental Prosecu‐tor’s Office for the illegal extraction of water.

The investigating court in Velez‐Malaga has prepared an official letter asking farmers to cease this activity until the legality of the proce‐dure can be verified.

So far none of the farmers involved have gone to court, but if they are called in front of the Judge, they could face jail terms of up to five years in the most serious cases.

The infractions are thought to relate to the use of three illegal underground wells that have been used for years to irrigate avocados. Another infraction is to do with the diversion of water to farmland which will have caused damage to the public hydraulic domain that could cost more than a million and a half euros.

The farmers of Axarquia may have been forced to take action because they have not re‐ceived water from La Viñuela, the largest reser‐voir in the area, since October 2022.

Paw-some aid

A GROUP of kind‐hearted volunteers are holding a col‐lection of unused pet acces‐sories for animal charities op‐erating in Rincon de La Victoria, Benajarafe, La Cala and Almayate. Anyone with supplies to donate can con‐tact: 663 320 200 to arrange for collection.

Sandy solution

WORK began on Torrox’s Ferrara beach on Monday, May 9 to reinforce the sand surface against erosion. A more permanent solution is in the works, but in the meantime, construction workers are replenishing sand after storms damaged the surface.

Bargain hunt

AFTER being postponed, a regular local car boot sale is set to take place on Sunday, May 14 at the Restaurante El Pantano which is located on the A356. All are welcome for a bargain hunt from 9.30am‐1pm.

Padel fun

ATHLETES at Nerja Padel had lots of fun, becoming better players and making new friends while support‐ing the Annai Home for Girls Orphanage in India in a chari‐ty championship. New play‐ers are welcome and can sign up via WhatsApp: 952 520 050.

New volunteers

NERJA and Almunecar Com‐munity Church has issued a call for new volunteers at their charity shop in Nerja. Volunteers are only required for the mornings and can ex‐press their interest by con‐tacting John by email at: hodgsonjbp@gmail.com.

Funding fail

THE Ministry for Transport has rejected an initial fund‐ing bid for a €2.7 million grant for Velez‐Malaga’s tram. The funding was to cover tram operations and maintenance, bike lanes, and scooter parking.