The River Segura is under attack from exotic species of plants and animals, contamination and the invasion of its banks and is struggling to surivive.
The active involvement of the landowners with property bordering on the river is paramount to its survival, according to technicians from one of two environmental projects which aim to restore the Segura to its former glory.
Native species, such as the eel and barbos are under threat of extinction whereas the common carp and the goldfish are thriving. Plant life is also suffering, particularly from the invasion of bamboo and cane which stretch for kilometres along the river banks. They obscure the river from view, make the farmers´ life difficult and supplant original species such as the willows and poplars.
Yesterday, Thursday, many local farmers attended a meeting in the Casa de la Cultura, Calasparra, to discuss the progress of two projects, co-financed by the EU, to improve the quality of the river. Technicians from the Water Board, the regional government of Murcia and the environmental group, ANSE, are attempting to reach voluntary agreements with local landowners to support the project´s work.
The project, Life+ ‘Ripisilvanatura’, led by the Segura Water Board, aims to restore the banks of the river Segura from the point it converges with the river Mundo to the urban centre of Cieza: some 57 kilometres which encompass both Moratalla and Calasparra. It has a total budget of almost 2,454,611 euros, which includes 50% EU funding. Also collaborating are the General Director of the Environment of Murcia, Murcia Universidad, Cieza and Calasparra Town Halls and ANSE.
The main aim is to restore the splendour, the ecological potencial and the beauty of the landscape along the course of the river, principally by controlling invasory species such as the abundant cane.
The other project is LIFE+ Segura Riverlink , which aims to remove the obstacles on the riverbed . It has a total budget of 3,424,250 euros for lengths of the rivers Segura and Benamor in the Murcia region. Co-financed by the EU it aims to improve and strengthen the connectivity between natural eco-systems by restoring the riverbeds to their original state. Work includes demolishing a disused weir and removing other obstacles which prevent fish moving up and down the rivers.
