Government to protect remaining wet lands

Balearic Minister for the Environment yesterday unveiled plans to protect 71 areas of wet land in the region. Over the past ten years a large number of wet land has been swallowed up by hotel developments, holiday resorts and illegal waste tips but the minister, Margalida Rosselló, stressed the importance of preserving and protecting the remaining wet lands. Not only are they vital for the future of wildlife, fauna and floral but they also act as a natural filter, preventing salt from seeping into wells and rivers. Initially it is hoped that the areas will receive protected status and eventually be declared natural parks, like the Albufera in Alcudia which is internationally recognised as an ecologically important area of wet land.