We will be able to see 287 heads of sheep grazing in the city of Madrid, almost 300 sheep who will benefit from a natural space thanks to the new contract that the town hall has launched to allow their access with a very special mission.
Madrid City Council has published this new contract for the use of pastures in the Tres Cantos forest area, located north of the municipality of Fuencarral-El Pardo, into which these sheep will enter.
With this initiative which aims “sustainable exploitation and the elimination or reduction of the height of spontaneous herbaceous vegetation”, these herbivores will be able to benefit from this space until 2026.
Natural fertilization
From the Urban Planning, Environment and Mobility Area of Madrid City Hall, headed by Borja Carabante, it is expected that with the use of these sheep, “vegetable fuel will be reduced to reduce the risk of fires in the park . “
Likewise, this grazing work will contribute “to the natural fertilization of the soil, the dispersal of seeds and the maintenance of biodiversity in the ecosystem”, as the municipality explains.
The Monte de Tres Cantos is located to the east of the municipality of this municipality and to the northwest of the city of Madrid. It is limited to the east by the M-607 highway, to the south and southwest by the Monte de El Pardo and to the north by adjacent private properties and the Viñuelas stream.
public montage
“This new contract responds to the need to preserve the forest area and establishes a set of conditions for the use of pastures, which are limited to places where livestock can feed without affecting shrubs and trees,” say municipal officials.
This initiative is accompanied by a ban, “the cutting of branches or any activity that damages plant elements and it is established that only sheep, rams and lambs can access these Madrid pastures, goats being prohibited to protect the flora of the park”.
The Tres Cantos forest area has been owned by Madrid City Hall since 1941 and is classified as non-developable forest protection land. Located between the M-607 highway, the Pardo mountain and the Viñuelas stream, it has a total area of 228.56 hectares, of which 215.52 will be eligible for grazing.
Fire prevention
Madrid City Hall specifies that the grazing season will initially extend from October 16 of one year to June 15 of the following year.
This period may vary depending on the conditions of pasture availability and precipitation, particularly in autumn, in order to protect the park’s vegetation and avoid the negative impact of an overload of livestock, specifies the municipality.
“It is hoped that the elimination of spontaneous vegetation, mainly in periods of drought, will reduce the risk of forest fires and help maintain a safe environment for local wildlife,” say its promoters.
Water and soil control
Water use and soil control are also priority aspects included in the contract. Livestock should only use existing water troughs, thereby avoiding wasted water and soil erosion.
In addition, the manure produced by livestock will remain in the park, thus benefiting the natural fertilization of pastures and contributing to the health of the ecosystem.
Advantages of transhumance
This project is inspired by the historical and cultural values of transhumance, a practice that this year commemorates 30 years of its recovery in Madrid and which, for more than 600 years, has been an integral part of the rural landscape.
With this initiative, Madrid City Council seeks not only to preserve the environment, but also to revitalize this tradition and integrate it into municipal cultural and environmental education activities.
In addition, the herd is expected to participate in the Transhumance Festival and other municipal educational actions related to environmental management, giving all Madrid residents the opportunity to connect with this tradition and know the positive impact of grazing on forest management and environmental preservation. natural landscape.
animal welfare
The contract includes measures to ensure the animal welfare and compliance with regulations on sustainable breeding and the successful bidder must “justify the carrying out of transhumance or transhumance movements at a given time during the contract and present health certificates guaranteeing the optimal condition of the livestock”.
Sheep must also be shorn at least once a year, as stated in the specifications, and feed supplements and fodder must be provided to livestock when available grass does not cover the animals’ needs, such as during periods of drought or scarcity. .
Environmental sustainability
To avoid damaging the planting areas, the animals will be guided daily and will only be able to graze in the areas previously indicated, maintaining a rotation guaranteeing a balanced use of resources.
The herd guard dogs will be controlled at all times and must respect the regulations in force concerning the protection and safety of people and other animals in the park.
The General Directorate of Water Management and Green Zones will ensure compliance with these standards, ensuring that grazing is carried out in accordance with the criteria established in the contract.
Sustainable development
With this initiative, Madrid City Council reaffirms its commitment to sustainable development and the conservation of its natural and cultural heritage, promoting management of the forest area that allows both risk prevention and preservation of the natural environment.
In addition, the integration of cultural and educational activities linked to transhumance strengthens the link between the city and its history, promoting the balance between the tradition of livestock breeding and current environmental challenges, respect for the environment and knowledge of the natural wealth of Madrid.
A rustic property
The area dedicated to grazing was a “rustic property intended for hunting with pastures, scrubland and vineyard plantation, with around five thousand vines…”. This is how the registration of the property begins in the Colmenar Viejo Land Registry. According to the said file, the initial area of the operation was 277 hectares.
This property was sold by Mr. Felipe González Rojas by deed signed in Madrid on October 31, 1917 to Mr. Horacio Echevarrieta y Mauri, a very influential industrialist from Bilbao. The mansion inside the estate called “Palacio Valdés” dates from later years. On October 31, 1941, the Madrid City Council, with Mr. Alberto Alcocer as mayor, acquired the property by municipal agreement.
Currently, this area of Madrid that the sheep will roam has an area of 2,285,600 m² and presents different main species such as holm oak, umbrella pine, black poplar, juniper, cistus, broom and cantueso.
