Rio Grande Vivo

Rio Grande Vivo

Since we have been in Spain, we have noticed an increase in the number of protest banners hanging from bridges, trees, and houses which read ….”Rio Grande Vivo” ….and assorted variations….see pictures. These are in protest at a Government plan to extract water from the Rio Grande, which includes diverting water from the river to Malaga via 2 large 1.6 metre (5 foot) diameter pipes (Tubas) , the building of an 11 metre dam at Guaro, and the compulsory purchase of land and 500 properties within its valley.

The people of Coỉn (where the protests seem to be centred), Guaro, Pizarra, Cartama, Villafranco and Gibralgalia are not prepared to sit back and see their environment destroyed. The protest movement has grown significantly over the last 2 months, with thousands of Spanish and foreign residents involved, including marches of 15,000 people in Coin (pronounced Co-een) earlier in November, and a march in Malaga on Saturday 2^nd December.

The source of the Rio Grande is at Torrecilla in the Sierra de Tolox, and flows parallel to the Costa del Sol, joining the mighty Rio Guadalhorce at Cartima. It is a seasonal river, with a much reduced flow in summer……in fact it dries up. However, it supports an important market economy of olive, orange, lemon, lime and avocado groves, and is an important eco-system for the wildlife of the valley.

The protest movement is well organised , and all the issues are presented on their simple but effect web site….Click Rio Grande Vivo if you’re interested. Also have a look at the wildlife pictures, mainly showing a wide variety of birds which inhabit the river.