The recent torrential rains and a European grant have led the Town Hall to restore two watering holes in the ZEPA Bird Protection Areas of Protected area of the Sierra del Molino, Embalse del Quípar (Alfonso Reservoir)and the Llanos del Cagitán,.
The two ponds, “Carpintero” and “Cumbres”, formerly used by shepherds to water their flocks, are in an area which is included in the Red Natura 2000 (Nature Network).
The 3000 euros project was partly financed by the EU FEDER Fund.
The work has consisted of extracting the first layer of soil, where the spores and eggs of local wildlife are present, before extracting sediment and restoring the pond floor. Finally, the first layer of soil extracted was carefully extended over the base of the pond.
The aim of the project is to give an environmental impulse to the local landscape.
The Llanos del Cagitán are a large peneplain surrounded by the Sierra del Almorchón, la Sierra de Ricote and the Quípar revservoir. It is an arid area, predominantly used to cultivate cereals, grapevines and almonds. Small, shallow ponds form in the area due to rainfall and overflow from the reservoir, which were formerly used by livestock.
Even though these ponds are small they are an authentic oasis for the wildlife of the steppe, especially amphibious species. Wild vegetation also grows in these wet areas making them valuable points of biodiversity.
The progressive abandoning of livestock has led to poor maintenance of the ponds which were virtually abandoned.
The area is protected by a ZEPA for the presence of owls, peregrine falcons, shelducks, curlews and chough.
