Tourist throws stone into UNESCO reserve: is he threatened with a fine of 200,000 euros?

Tourist throws stone into UNESCO reserve: is he threatened with a fine of 200,000 euros?

In the popular Picos de Europa National Park in northern Spain, a thoughtless tourist caused a stir when he threw a large stone into a ravine. The incident quickly went viral on TikTok and prompted an immediate police response. Picos de Europa is a UNESCO biosphere reserve and attracts around 2 million tourists every year, including many Germans, who appreciate the impressive nature and hiking trails such as the “Ruta del Cares”.

This stone throwing not only poses a potential danger to visitors, but is also an unauthorized intervention in a sensitive ecosystem. Police have launched an investigation to further investigate the incident after becoming aware of the video. The tourist, whose identity has not been revealed, now faces a fine of up to 200,000 euros as such acts are considered serious environmental disruption. This also reports News.es.

The beauties of the national park

The Picos de Europa extends across the regions of Cantabria, Castile-León and Asturias, where numerous hikers explore the eleven-kilometer-long “Ruta del Cares” every year. This popular route attracts around 300,000 hikers per year and is known for its breathtaking landscapes. Nevertheless, incidents like the stone-throwing highlight how important it is to protect these natural sites.

In their statements, the police strongly emphasized the responsibility of tourists to respect and protect nature. This type of behavior not only endangers the ecosystem, but also the safety of other visitors. The authorities are determined to punish such acts in order to preserve the integrity of the national park The West reported.