La Pletera: to make sure the sand does not disappear, by Josep Maria Fonalleras

I remember the conversation I had a few years ago with Dr. Xavier Quintana, Director of the Chair of Mediterranean Coastal Ecosystems, a joint body of the UdG and the Torroella de Montgrí Town Council, in charge of the scientific leadership of La Pletera. This is a wonderful space marismas, in the Baix Empordà, which was damaged during the eighties of the 20th century with premeditated advice and perseverance. they came to see your 800 tons of rubbish daily to make the sand disappear and build more than 600 houses by the sea. Fortunately, because of poor business management and because there are miracles from time to time, urbanization stopped. Thanks to the municipal and university management, through the Life Pletera project, the dunes are back and the ecosystem of the lagoons and their ecological functionality has been restored. I think of Quintana’s words because of the report on the critical condition of the Catalan coastline, published this Saturday by EL PERIODICO. He said that “de-urban nature is civilization”. As simple as this. So difficult, so necessary. Let the sand go back to where it belongs. Prevent the cement from burying it.