The City Council of Priego de Córdoba has decided to reconsider the location of the Botanical Garden of Olive Varieties which was designed to be installed in the “Niceto Alcalá-Zamora” park, in the northwest area of the lawn. The initiative has generated diverse opinions among the residents of Priego, which has led to rethink your location.
This initiative of the Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) Priego de Córdoba, aims to create a training space with more than 60 varieties of olive trees, surrounded by aromatic plants characteristic of the environment. The aim of the garden is raise awareness about the olive grove and its environmentpromoting better knowledge of this key sector in our city.
The project was publicly presented by the mayor through a publication on social networks, in which he explained in detail the reasons why the “Niceto Alcalá-Zamora” park seemed to be the ideal location. However, after this communication, it was perceived a certain unease among the neighborswho expressed concern about the impact of the garden. Faced with this reaction, the city council decided to listen to the citizens and reconsider the location. In his publication, the mayor stressed that the government team is “open to changes that are necessary” so that the people of Prieguense understand and support the project.
The original location was chosen because it was a less used area and with a steep slope, which limited its current use. In addition, it was considered an accessible place near the IES Alvarez Cuberoan educational center offering specialized training on topics related to olive oil. However, other options are currently being explored within Priego and the villages as well as in neighboring municipalities that are also part of the DOP.
Actions within the project
The project includes plans for transplant five trees (soap, ash, false pepper, sophora and love tree) which, according to technical reports, are not well established in their current space. In addition, seven other trees in poor phytosanitary condition would be eliminated, although the majority of the vegetation would be integrated into the design of the botanical garden, thus contributing to environmental sustainability.
One of the most appreciated points of the project is the replacement of the current lawn with native aromatic plants and a drip irrigation system, which would improve sustainability and reduce water consumption. The creation of an accessible route is also being considered to ensure that the space is inclusive and can be enjoyed by all citizens, regardless of their mobility.
The mayor responded to criticism of the project’s possible environmental impact, including accusations that ““arboricide” by cutting down some trees. He said the number of trees in the area is will multiplysince 60 new olive trees will be planted, compared to 7 that will be removed due to their poor condition. In addition, he took the opportunity to mention the planting of more than 150 trees in other areas of the municipality, as part of the Tourism Sustainability Plan.
In the coming days, the City Council plans to convene the Local Environmental Council where the best locationn for the Botanical Garden of the Varieties of Olivier. The priority is to reach a consensus that allows this project to be carried out without generating conflicts with citizens.
