The actions carried out have focused on the improvement, conservation, and enhancement of this route, located in an area of special ecological sensitivity characterized by the presence of calcareous tufa formations.
One of the main focuses of the project has been the rehabilitation of the so-called Casa de las Conchas (House of Shells) and its surroundings. Here, shelters for various species have been created, including nest boxes for bats and insects, a butterfly oasis, structures for reptiles, and the improvement of a pond for amphibians.
Furthermore, the provincial institution explained that a comprehensive cleanup of waste and invasive vegetation has been promoted. These interventions have allowed for the organization of public use of the space while ensuring the protection of its most fragile natural elements.
To this end, wooden fencing, new viewpoints have been installed, and sections of the trail have been conditioned to increase safety and prevent access to particularly sensitive or degraded areas.
Environmental restoration work has also been carried out, such as closing eroded areas to promote their natural recovery, and improving existing infrastructure, including the staircase of the Herrerías waterfall.
The project has been completed with the installation of interpretive panels that allow visitors to learn about the natural values of the environment.
The Provincial Deputy for Equality, Basque Language, and Governance, Iñaki Gurtubai, visited this route on Monday, accompanied by the Deputy for Economic Development and Sustainability, Saray Zárate, and the individuals who proposed this initiative.
He highlighted the importance of participatory budgets and the Diputación's commitment to protecting natural spaces of high ecological value.
Álava's participatory budgets were launched in 2022 as a tool that allows citizens to participate in the design, decision-making, execution, and monitoring of public policies.
Through this process, citizen projects can be submitted, and after a technical assessment of their feasibility, a popular vote determines which initiatives are incorporated into the provincial budget and executed.
The Diputación has now closed the submission period for initiatives for the 2027 participatory budgets of Álava, having received a total of 23 citizen proposals.
Of the total initiatives presented, five correspond to municipalities with over 2,000 inhabitants and eighteen to municipalities with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants.
Provincial services will now begin verifying the proposals and conducting technical and economic assessments to determine which ones meet the process conditions and can proceed to the popular voting phase.
