The Biosphere Reserve of Minorca

In 1993 Menorca was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO as part of its Man and Biosphere programme. This declaration was a backing for those who defended a non-aggressive growth model towards the natural values and areas of rural landscape. The Law of Natural Spaces, stipulating different levels of protection for almost half of the region, also confirmed the institutions’ commitment to being part of this ever-increasing environmental concern. It is quite clear that conservationists’ opinions must be taken into account in the organisation of the region and the urban planning programmes which, just like the supervision of activity in the tourism sector and the maintenance and promotion of the historical heritage, are responsibilities of the Consell Insular de Menorca, the local government body. In this sense, the recent PDS (Plan for Sustainable Development) should be seen as a draft document to boost social progress without affecting these natural spaces negatively. On the same lines, legislation has also been produced on the use of the Camí de Cavalls (bridle path), a much-claimed historic boundary route, so that controlled access is possible to these areas and that the environmental quality will not be affected (only a small part of this land is publicly owned and many landowners close their estates claiming free access would produce harmful effects). Today, at the dawning of a new millennium, the Menorcan economy revolves inevitably around the tourist industry, we must hope that society keeps a cool head, as on other occasions, and knows how to administer its greatest wealth: environmental balance.