Friday, 25 September 2026Cataluña 30°/ 18°

Breaking

The Generalitat and the Ecological Ministry begin the expansion of the Aigüestortes National Park

The Generalitat initiates a consultative process to expand the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park to strengthen its environmental protection.

Nuria Martínez
Nuria Martínez
· 2 min read

A step towards conservation

This Thursday, a new chapter in environmental protection has opened with the launch of the public consultation for the expansion of the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. This initiative, driven by the Generalitat's Territori department and the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, aims to establish new boundaries for this emblematic natural space in the Pyrenees.

The proposed lands for inclusion encompass significant areas such as the head of the Vall Fosca, located in La Torre de Capdella; the Besiberri valley, in Vilaller; and the Serra del Rei mountain, in Sort. These sites are not only vital from an ecological perspective but also offer stunning landscapes that attract visitors and nature lovers.

The initial phase of the public consultation will extend until October 21. During this period, citizens will have the opportunity to present their contributions regarding this proposal. Once this stage is concluded, the opinions collected will be carefully analysed by the competent authorities before final decisions are made about the new boundaries of the park.

Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici is currently the only national park in Catalonia and covers a total of 40,852 hectares, with 26,733 hectares designated as a protected peripheral area. The proposed expansion not only aims to increase its size but also to ensure the continuity of essential habitats and preserve key natural elements that characterise this area.

The new territories to be incorporated include mountain ridges, crystal-clear lakes, and valleys that are considered natural treasures due to their biodiversity. In particular, it is proposed to include municipal lands that are currently classified as peripheral area: this includes areas around the Mainera, Saburó, Peguera, Subenuix, Dellui, and Mariolo peaks. However, it is important to highlight that lakes subject to hydroelectric exploitation will be excluded from the process.

As we move towards greater environmental awareness and a renewed commitment to sustainability, initiatives like this represent crucial steps to address current ecological challenges. Collaboration between different levels of government is essential to ensure that these natural spaces are preserved not only for present generations but also for future ones.

Nuria Martínez

Written by

Nuria Martínez