Cabrera: 102 councils demand national park funding

At Cabrera National Park, 102 Spanish councils are demanding reliable, multi-year funding for towns with land inside national parks. Their association, the Association of Municipalities with Land in National Parks (Amuparna), said on Friday, 30 October 2026, that it had agreed the demand unanimously.

The costs fall on local councils

National parks benefit everyone, Amuparna argues. But restrictions on land use, conservation costs and responsibility for protecting the parks fall heavily on the councils that host them. Many have tight budgets.

Spain’s National Parks Law already provides for aid to areas around the parks, but that aid depends on available public funds. The councils want the central government and regional governments to establish a dedicated, stable funding system that lasts several years.

What happens next

Amuparna says funding should reflect how much land a council has inside a park, restrictions on its use, population, seasonal changes and visitor pressure.

The association also wants recognition for conservation work by farmers, livestock keepers, irrigation communities, landowners and councils. Its declaration points to traditional water management, grazing and fire prevention. It says recognition could bring funding, incentives and technical help.

Amuparna proposes pilot schemes to reward that work and a working group involving the Autonomous National Parks Agency, regional authorities, local groups, universities and scientists. It wants councils and local communities to help shape, monitor and assess decisions affecting their land.

Topics: Environment · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com