The Ministry of Sustainability and Environment of the Andalusian Government has completed improvement works on the Cañada Real de Las Baterías, located in the municipality of Albolote in the metropolitan area of Granada.
The intervention, part of the fourth phase of the Green Infrastructure Priority Network project in Rural Areas in the province of Granada, has received an investment of 117,197 euros and has allowed the conditioning of a stretch of over 2.5 kilometers in length, restoring this livestock route to its traditional and environmental functionality.
The territorial delegate of Sustainability and Environment in Granada, Manuel Francisco García, visited the area to inspect the results of the executed actions. During the visit, García highlighted that «the works included milling the deteriorated road surface, supplying aggregate material, compacting, planing, and refining, as well as clearing, removing, and disposing of vegetation with high density on the sides of the livestock route.»
«These tasks have significantly improved the layout and safety of this road, widely used by both farmers and residents, with visitors frequenting it as a leisure space in the natural environment.»
This intervention adds to the investments made since 2019 in the second and third phases of the same project, with a total accumulated investment of 4,596,772 euros in the province of Granada. The territorial delegate noted that «these interventions represent the commitment of the Andalusian Government to the conservation of our natural and cultural heritage, recognizing livestock routes as an essential part of our identity.»
García emphasized that the recovery and maintenance of these traditional infrastructures not only meet a conservation need but also open the door to new opportunities for rural development. «The works carried out so far are the starting point for an even greater goal: for livestock routes, in addition to being recovered and maintained, to be revalued, providing economic, ecological, and social benefits to rural communities. For this, we will continue to dedicate efforts and resources,» he stated.
The Albolote City Council thanked the Andalusian Government for the investment effort in their municipality and highlighted the positive impact these improvements will have on the daily lives of residents.
«These actions significantly improve accessibility for farmers and residents, while also highlighting a privileged environment like the edge of the Cubillas reservoir, which is heavily frequented by the public as a recreational and outdoor leisure area,» stated the councilors of Environment and Urbanism, Rosario Ramírez and José Miguel Rodríguez, during the visit.
The Ministry of Sustainability and Environment maintains its commitment to the sustainable development of rural Andalusia, with a special focus on the conservation, management, and revitalization of the green infrastructure network. The actions, being carried out on livestock routes within the framework of the Andalusia Rural Development Program (PDR) 2014-2022, represent a total investment of 42.8 million euros throughout the autonomous community.
In the province of Granada, the network of livestock routes spans 3,698 kilometers, integrated into the extensive Andalusian network exceeding 34,000 kilometers. This network is a key element for livestock mobility, ecological connectivity, and the enjoyment of the natural environment. «These investments reflect the commitment to rural areas and the Green Revolution initiated by the Andalusian Government of Juanma Moreno,» García affirmed.
In this regard, the delegate emphasized the importance of preserving this unique territorial legacy. «Maintaining the rich heritage of the Livestock Routes Network of Andalusia ensures its continuity for its traditional livestock and agricultural function as well as for tourism and environmental uses,» he asserted. Furthermore, he recalled that «enhancing the role of livestock routes as ecological corridors, recreational areas, and connections between different natural spaces is crucial, as it allows for genetic exchange of flora and fauna in natural environments, while preserving an important cultural heritage linked to the territory.»
With the completion of this intervention on the Cañada Real de Las Baterías, the Andalusian Government reaffirms its commitment to improving rural areas, providing them with resilient, sustainable infrastructure serving both the primary sector and the public. These actions also contribute to population retention, economic diversification in rural areas, and the consolidation of a development model respectful of the natural environment.