Andorra Advances New National Natural Park Protecting 30% of Territory

Andorra's Environment, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Guillem Casal met on Thursday with former ministers from his department to share updates on the government's project for a new national natural park.

The initiative, developed in partnership with the parishes of Canillo and Ordino, will protect 73.69 square kilometres under enhanced status. Stretching from Coll d’Ordino and Pic de Casamanya through Vall de Sorteny, Mereig and Montaup, to Vall del Riu and Vall dels Meners, it continues via Coma de Ransol, Vall d’Incles, Clots de l’Os, Clots de Massat, Ortafà and el Goter. Adding the Madriu-Perafita-Claror valley brings total protected land to 30.08% of Andorra's territory, supporting the national target of 30% by 2030 under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework from UN Biodiversity Conference COP15.

Attendees included former ministers Jaume Serra, Olga Adellach, Jordi Mas, Bibiana Rossa and Sílvia Calvó, alongside Canillo first consul Jordi Alcobé and Ordino's Maria del Mar Coma. The session allowed integration of their expertise in environmental policy, conservation and natural heritage management from past legislatures.

Casal emphasised their essential role in evolving Andorra's environmental strategies, ensuring the project proceeds with broad institutional consensus, technical rigour and ecological sensitivity. He called the reinforced protection a historic step in territorial planning, stating that the group seeks to preserve inherited natural heritage through shared responsibility.

The ministry framed the meeting as part of its commitment to dialogue, participation and transparency across all project phases, aiming for a park that delivers ecological, social and economic benefits.