Andorra's Cenba commission has given the green light to its first national natural park in the Canillo and

The Cenba commission has approved Andorra's first national natural park in the Canillo and Ordino valleys, moving the initiative into its final legislative phase.

On Thursday, the coordination and development commission for the national biodiversity strategy (Cenba) issued a favourable report declaring the national interest of the Parc Natural Nacional de les Valls de Canillo i Ordino. This key step, required under the Natural Environment Conservation, Biodiversity and Landscape Act, followed a public information period that closed without any allegations and agreements with the communes of Canillo and Ordino. The widespread institutional backing highlights strong consensus for the project.

Spanning 88.35 square kilometres—or 17.68% of Andorra's land—the park will safeguard vital ecological, scenic, and water resources. Key sites include Estany de Juclà, the Principality's largest natural lake; the meanders of Basses del Siscaró, among the country's most distinctive wetlands; the mature forest at Coll d’Ordino, one of the best-preserved in the Andorran Pyrenees; high-altitude areas where the rock ptarmigan still breeds, a species vulnerable to climate change; and the calcicole flora of Sorteny, known for its botanical diversity.

Upon approval, the park will increase Andorra's protected areas to 144.81 square kilometres, or 29.74% of the territory. It will strengthen ecological links with other Pyrenean protected zones and complete the national network, which encompasses the Parc Natural de la Vall de Sorteny, Parc Natural Comunal de les Valls del Comapedrosa, and the UNESCO-listed Vall del Madriu-Perafita-Claror.

The proposal now heads to the Consell General for passage of the declaration law. Once enacted, governance bodies will form and a master plan will outline management, conservation, and usage guidelines.