Andalucia’s historical dune gardens on verge of disappearing

PUBLISHED: December 5, 2012 at 1:00 pm  •  LAST EDITED: December 9, 2012 at 9:01 pm
Andalucia, Environment  •  0 Comments

• The allotments date back to the 16th century

DUNE gardens that have been part of Andalucia’s heritage since the 16th century will disappear completely within two years if more is not done to preserve them, an academic has warned.

The navazos in Sanlucar, in Cadiz, are coastal allotments where crops are grown in the sand.

Back in 1888, they covered 1,000 hectares and provided food for 3,000 families.

But agro-ecologist Ruben Sanchez has warned that urban sprawl and lack of protection will soon mean they are lost forever – as well as lack of interest from the relevant authorities.

“By the time they realise the navazos are part of our unique cultural heritage, it might well be too late,” said Sanchez, who has spent the last 15 years studying them.

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