The decree project that has been recently approved, means reinforcing the conservation of the natural values of the area that is located south of the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz. They propose to reach an extension of 5,130 hectares as ZEC expanding the number of 2,227 hectares that are declared as such Since 2015.
This implies a new step forward in the process agreed between the Basque Government, the Provincial Council of Álava and the City of Vitoria-Gasteiz, and which has had an important social participation. The decree project will involve a significant impulse to guarantee the conservation objectives that are provided for in the area of the Montes de Vitoria.
A major ZEC in Vitoria
In this way, the works initiated in 2010 will be completed with the elaboration of a natural resources management plan, whose purpose was Provide that area with an adequate environmental protection figure. In addition, in this way the proposition of the Basque Parliament of March 2021 is complied with.
The approved decree project supposes reinforce the conservation of the natural values of that area to the south of the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz until reaching an extension of 5,130 hectares (at this time 2,227 hectares such as ZEC are declared, since 2015).
With this figure, They will protect elements of the mountains of Vitoria with a high natural value; For example, habitats of community interest such as beechos, complaints and marojales, calcium walkers (important for pollinators) and seminatural dry pastures, in addition to habitats of regional interest such as oak, and also species of flora, such as the tejo, and fauna such as the Medium peak bird, as well as other birds and chiroptera (bats) forest. Interest habitats will represent 61% of the entire extension of the new special conservation zone.
Economic Development and Environmental Protection
The proposal, after the analysis and assessment of the situation of the file and the update of the analyzes carried out on the natural values of the mountains of Vitoria and the redefinition of their delimitation, goes through expanding the special conservation zone, Betting on the protected space figure of the Natura 2000 Network. In addition, it does not exclude rural and economic development, but it relates it to a better contribution to the conservation of biodiversity, and makes it possible to enter into possible financing of the European Union.
Lands that do not have relevant values of natural heritage are not included and that may suppose a future management problem. The application of this criterion leaves the following elements out of the protected area: Gardelegi’s landfill, most broken and cultivation land.
On the ownership of the land, it has been chosen to consider mainly land included in the MUP catalog (public utility mountains), adjusting the limitation of the protected area, provided that it has been possible, to the limits of identifiable plots. The proposal also allows Protect native forests, relevant in regards to climate change Because of its carbon storage function, and it is also important in terms of improving ecological connectivity and serve to green infrastructure.
La Nueva Area Abarca17 Concejos belonging to Vitoria-Gasteiz: Bolibar, Andollu, Zumeltzu, Argentzu, Berrostegieta, Castillo-castle, Mendiola, Monasteryogen, Gamiz, Ullibarri Los Olleros y rich.
This proposal, with the agreement between the main Alava institutions and the Basque Government, involves compliance with the non -law of law approved by the Basque Parliament on March 18, 2021, which required the Basque Government to expand the Special Conservation Zone of the Altos de Vitoria And also to the motion approved at the General Boards of Álava on March 24, 2021, in this same direction.
Great ecological wealth
The Zec Montes Altos de Vitoria includes a sector of the mountain system located south of that city and that constitutes the southern limit of the region of the Alavesa plain. Despite their moderate altitudes (1,000 m are barely exceeded), their situation on the east-west axis makes the mountains of Vitoria into a biogeographic barrier of interest, which continues by the mountains of Iturrieta to the east and for those of yours to the west. The landscape is dominated by forest masses of native trees, with some areas of grassland and scrub.
The Red Natura 2000 is the main instrument of the European Union for Biodiversity Protection in the territory of the Union. Its objective is to contribute to guarantee biodiversity through the conservation of natural habitats and wildlife and flora, taking into account the economic, social and cultural demands, as well as regional and local peculiarities.