On June 20, 2024, the Oceanogràfic of Valencia hosted the official signing of the Manifesto for the Protection of the Albufera, endorsed by over a hundred organizations and prominent members of Valencian society. This important moment marked the culmination of a citizen-driven initiative launched at the provincial level, born from the persistent lack of agreement between institutions and citizens regarding the management of the natural park.

The aim of the Manifesto was—and still is—to protect the lagoon from political instrumentalization, promote consensus, and overcome long-standing conflicts. Since its inception, the document has been monitored, though implementation levels have varied greatly, even before the disaster on October 29, 2024, when a violent flood severely impacted the area.

Following that event, a group of experts reformulated the Manifesto to adapt it to new environmental and infrastructural scenarios. However, its guiding spirit remains unchanged: it is a manual for future generations, designed to ensure that the Albufera continues to be a vital wetland, a biodiversity treasure, and the emotional heart of Valencian culture.

The 10 Key Commitments of the Updated Manifesto:

1. 1. Ensure a sufficient water supply
      The Albufera’s fundamental needs require a commitment from all involved administrations to guarantee water contributions that allow the lagoon to recover both environmentally and in terms of associated activities.
   2. Eliminate discharges
      Industrial and urban practices in the park’s surroundings must comply with legal requirements. Institutions must commit to eliminating any form of wastewater discharge by connecting them to the sewage network for proper treatment, enforcing penalties for malpractice, and fostering a mindset that respects the park’s needs.
   3. Improve infrastructure
      Protecting the wetland requires the rapid implementation of modern hydraulic infrastructure for storage, transport, treatment, and reuse, including improvements to the canals. These measures are essential to shield the lagoon from pollution and ensure adequate water quality. Top priorities include renewing the Western Collector and building stormwater tanks, along with urgently repairing structures damaged by the flood.
   4. Protect water quality
      Address poor practices that lead to water pollution crises in the lagoon, which result in fish mortality, affect birdlife, and degrade the park’s landscape. This involves actions to preserve and recover traditional fishing practices and recognize fishermen’s rights.
   5. Territorial planning
      Competent administrations—especially local municipalities—must coordinate to ensure harmonious urban and territorial development that respects each town’s uniqueness while fostering collective action across the area and reducing known risks, both environmental and socioeconomic.
   6. Align agricultural practices with environmental care
      Rice fields play a key role in the survival of the park. Adjusting rice cultivation techniques to the lagoon’s needs requires cooperation between the government and farmers, ensuring agricultural practices are compatible with environmental conservation. This includes phasing out agricultural burning in favor of healthier, more environmentally friendly alternatives.
   7. Strengthen legal protection
      Protecting the Albufera requires the regional government to update pending legal frameworks that hinder its preservation. Two essential tools are the Natural Resource Management Plan and the Master Plan for Use and Management.
   8. Increase staffing and improve leadership selection
      Reforming the Law on Natural Spaces is a priority. It should define a specific management role tailored to the Albufera’s complexity and lead to a significant increase in park staff. A dedicated director with managerial status and a more effective selection process are urgently needed.
   9. Urgent recovery plan with appropriate funding
      A comprehensive recovery plan for the park must be developed and executed, with appropriate budget allocations from the State and European institutions, equivalent to those granted to other major coastal wetlands in Spain.
   10. Immediate institutional collaboration
       Public administrations must collaborate to improve management for the benefit of citizens. It is essential to overcome political polarization and promote cooperation between local, regional, and national governments in support of the park and its people.

The Royal Irrigation Channel of the Júcar (Acequia Real del Júcar) has long been committed to protecting the Albufera, not only from an agricultural and social perspective, but also with strong environmental dedication. The organization is fully aware of the ecological value of this unique ecosystem and of the need to preserve its biodiversity. For this reason, it has intensified its efforts to actively contribute to its conservation.

In this context, two main lines of action have been prioritized. On one hand, improving the quality of the water reaching the lagoon by controlling discharges, enhancing purification processes, and introducing higher quality water sources. On the other hand, pursuing efficient and sustainable irrigation management by adapting water distribution to the real needs of crops and optimizing the use of available water resources. All of this is being carried out in close collaboration with local farmers, whose role is key to protecting and maintaining the natural balance of the Albufera.