The Generalitat de Catalunya has launched the creation of the Natural Park of the Prades Mountains, Poblet and the Llena Mountain Range with the publication this Wednesday in the DOGC of the draft decree. The process now opens a 45-day period for submitting objections to a protected area of 38,900 hectares spread across 22 municipalities.
The project combines environmental protection with a strong limit on new land uses in an area where the Government wants to conserve the agricultural mosaic, strengthen the primary sector, adapt the territory to climate change, and retain rural population. At the same time, the decree prohibits activities such as golf courses, landfills, intensive livestock farming, or the construction of campsites and permanent caravan parks.
The new park will cover 22 municipalities in five regions
The affected area extends across l'Alt Camp, el Baix Camp, les Garrigues, la Conca de Barberà, and el Priorat. In Baix Camp, it includes Prades, Capafonts, la Febró, Arbolí, l'Albiol, la Selva del Camp, l'Aleixar, Vilaplana, and Alforja.
Mont-ral, la Riba, and Alcover in l'Alt Camp are also included. In les Garrigues, la Pobla de Cérvoles and el Vilosell are listed, while in la Conca de Barberà, Vallclara, Vimbodí i Poblet, Vilanova de Prades, l'Espluga de Francolí, Montblanc, and Vilaverd are incorporated, in addition to Cornudella de Montsant and Ulldemolins in el Priorat.
Territori has set the boundaries based on criteria of habitat and species representativeness, geographical coherence, recognized physical limits, and ecological connectivity. The perimeter also integrates existing environmental protection designations within the same territorial area.
The decree expands reserves and prohibits new urban and energy uses
The proposal declares the Partial Natural Reserve of Els Motllats and the Partial Natural Reserve of Plans. Furthermore, it expands the Partial Natural Reserve of the barranc del Titllar, which will now be called the Partial Natural Reserve of the barranc del Tillar-Tossal de la Baltasana.
Within the future park, the Paratge Natural d'Interès Nacional de Poblet, the Partial Natural Reserve of the Barranc de la Trinitat, and the SCI and SPA spaces of the Natura 2000 network Muntanyes de Prades and Riu Siurana i Planes del Priorat are integrated.
The text prohibits new extractions of geological resources, except for already active operations. It also prevents the construction of campsites, golf courses, landfills, and intensive livestock farms within the protected area.
In energy matters, the decree does not allow electricity lines of more than 30 kV or energy production or distribution plants. It only admits renewable installations for agricultural, livestock, or community use when there is no alternative.
In those cases, the limit is set at 100 kW and 0.5 hectares for photovoltaic solar, and at 30 kW with a maximum height of 15 meters for wind. The text also excludes the construction of sports halls.
The governance will reserve 17 seats for entities and companies in the sector
The future Governing Board will have ten representatives from the Generalitat de Catalunya and five from the new Assemblea d'Alcaldies, which will bring together all the municipalities included in the park. A representative for each provincial council of Tarragona and Lleida will be added to them.
The body will also include the president of the Governing Board of the PNIN of Poblet. The composition is completed by seventeen representatives from entities and companies in the sector, along with members of the Patronat del Monestir de Poblet and groups defending women's rights.
Along with that structure, the decree provides for the creation of a Scientific Council made up of a maximum of nine people from entities dedicated to research in natural conservation. The period for submitting objections to the proposal will be open for 45 days from its publication in the DOGC.