It is a reality, we are increasingly aware, called to take action and willing to put our grain of sand in the conservation of an environment that demands our involvement as part of the system. At the same time, rural tourism increases and trips to discover the potential of inland Spain grows, consolidating a greater presence of visitors in the natural environment. But are we aware of our impact on the environment every time we escape from the city and go on an excursion to the countryside? This summer season, every time we go out to enjoy everything that nature and the mountains have to offer us, it is important that we do so responsibly, being very aware that we are visiting the environment in which others live and that it can be very different the one we know of. Therefore, we must be prudent in our conduct and have respect for those who inhabit it, minimizing the impact of our passage through the natural environment.
From INTEROVIC they propose 10 steps to follow so that each visitor can enjoy the pastures and mountains, learning to respect and care for the environment on which we depend, “says Tomás Rodríguez, director of INTEROVIC.
10 tips for the good hiker
- Change the ‘urban chip’. Do not alter the ecosystem.
- Respect traffic signs that warn of the presence of livestock.
- Be patient.
- Don’t honk your horn.
- Stay alert, in case a herd appears. Above all, if someone in the group walks with a dog, they must keep it on a leash while crossing the cattle.
- If you find steps between farms that may be closed, do not open them.
- Any waste or remains generated while enjoying nature must be collected.
- The consumption of local products from the area supports extensive livestock farming and is another way of getting involved as a consumer.
- Avoid approaching loose animals and also shepherd dogs.
- It is important to stay inside the car while giving way to cattle to avoid startling them.
Within the framework of the campaign ‘Tasty and Sustainable. Choose European origin’, and under the motto ‘More than 3,000 years in balance with the environment’, INTEROVIC, the Sheep and Goat Interprofessional Agrifood, seeks to raise awareness about the consumption of sustainable and environmentally responsible meat, but also divulge about the relevance of the autochthonous breeds of sheep and goats in the conservation of the natural environment. Among other environmental risks, the herds help prevent serious forest fires, such as the one that has recently taken place in the Sierra de la Culebra, in Zamora, and which has already been classified as the largest of the 21st century in Spain. In addition, grazing activity is vital to retain population in rural areas and to continue the practice of extensive livestock farming, a key piece in maintaining the ecosystem. For all these reasons, INTEROVIC has created the sustainable hiker’s decalogue so that rural travelers respect and contribute to this natural balance.
«When we invade the rural environment with our presence, a great responsibility falls on us. The maintenance of the ecosystem is sustained thanks to promoting activities such as grazing, but it also subsists thanks to the individual actions of each one.
