The Revival and Fight for Restoration of La Janda Lagoon
The Revival and Fight for Restoration of La Janda Lagoon
Once the largest lagoon in Spain, spanning over 7,000 hectares in Cádiz, the Laguna de La Janda was defiantly desiccated in the 1960s to make way for agricultural cultivation. This decision, made during the Franco regime, transformed a crucial wetland into farmland. However, recent heavy rains in March 2025 have offered a glimpse of its former glory, temporarily reviving the long-lost ecosystem.
The desiccation significantly impacted the natural environment, particularly as the lagoon was a vital part of the drainage network of the Guadalete-Barbate Hydrological Basin and an essential stopover for thousands of migrating birds. Fed by the Barbate, Celemín, and Almodóvar rivers, the lagoon naturally filled during rainy seasons and receded in summer, creating ideal conditions for migratory species. Engineering projects, such as the construction of canals and dams, contributed to the environmental alteration. Today, the area is primarily used for cultivating rice, corn, and cotton, located between the municipalities of Benalup-Casas Viejas, Vejer de la Frontera, and Tahivilla.
For decades, environmental associations have been actively campaigning for the ecological restoration of La Janda. Among the most prominent is the La Janda Lagoon Friends Association, a non-profit organization founded in 1994. Composed of individuals who remember the exceptional wetland before its desiccation, the association aims to promote its ecological recovery and disseminate its natural, heritage, and historical significance.
The association actively engages with administrative bodies to push for the lagoon's restoration and protection, participating in bird censuses, studies, conferences, and awareness campaigns. They also utilize informative posters, collaborate with media outlets, and maintain an online presence to keep the objective of recovery alive.
A significant point in their advocacy is the clarification provided by a recently published legal study, which states that the Janda wetlands are publicly owned and are currently occupied and privatized without valid concession titles. The study emphasizes that the Administration possesses the legal instruments and the obligation to proceed with the recovery of its full domain and subsequent restoration.
The recent temporary revival due to heavy rainfall, captured by the European Union's Earth Observation Program, Copernicus, underscores the lagoon's natural tendency to exist. This event has further fueled the demands for its permanent restoration, with the "Association of Friends of the Laguna de La Janda" and other groups intensifying their efforts.
On the last World Wetlands Day, February 2nd, 2025, the association organized mobilizations in Sevilla and Vejer, demanding the recovery of the 6,000 public hectares of the lagoon. Their primary demand is the recognition and enforcement of a 1967 Supreme Court ruling that declared over 6,000 hectares as Public Hydraulic Domain. Despite years of bureaucratic processes, these groups are now urging the State to initiate direct conversations with the current land users to facilitate the return of the Laguna de La Janda to its natural state.
The La Janda Lagoon Friends Association continues to play a crucial role in this ongoing fight. They encourage public support through membership, offering different levels such as Ordinary Member (€20/year), Student Member (€10/year), and Life Partner (for donations of €400 or more). Donations and membership fees contribute to their efforts in advocating for the lagoon's future. The association also keeps its supporters informed through a newsletter.
The temporary return of water to La Janda serves as a powerful reminder of what was lost and what could be regained. The efforts of the La Janda Lagoon Friends Association and other environmental advocates are crucial in ensuring that this ecological treasure is permanently restored for the benefit of nature and future generations.