Doñana updates its management plan: beaches, dogs, and solar self-consumption

The Regional Ministry of Sustainability and Environment of the Junta de Andalucía has modified the Natural Resources Management Plan (PORN) and the Master Plan for Use and Management (PRUG) of the Doñana Natural Space through the Order of October 20, 2026, published in the Official Gazette of the Junta de Andalucía (BOJA) No. 214 on November 5, 2026, in section 1. General Provisions (page 14344, official reference 00345574). The regulation, signed by the regional minister Adolfina Martínez Guirado, enters into force the day following its publication, that is, November 6, 2026, and readjusts the zoning of the beaches and La Palmosa, allows for self-consumption solar installations, restricts the presence of dogs, and provides flexibility for buildings linked to agricultural and livestock uses in Zone B1.

Both instruments were approved in Annexes V and VI of Decree 142/2016, of August 2, which expanded the territorial scope of the Doñana Natural Park and declared the Doñana North and West Special Area of Conservation (ES6150009). The PORN itself (section 8.1.2) and the PRUG (section 6.1.2) provide for a modification procedure for specific adjustments that do not substantially alter the adopted management, a route now being utilized after more than eight years in force and in light of the results of the plan’s evaluation.

The order was reported by the Participation Council of the Doñana Natural Space and by several governing bodies, was subjected to a hearing process for interested parties and the city councils whose municipal boundaries are included in the geographical scope of the space, and underwent public information and consultation of social and institutional interests, including associations pursuing the principles of Article 2 of Law 42/2007, of December 13, on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity.

Readjustment of the zoning of beaches and La Palmosa

The first block of changes corrects the lack of precision in the literal description and graphic representation of the Moderate Use Zone of the National Park in the beach area, and the graphic misalignment between Zones A and C of the Natural Park in the area of the agricultural plots of La Palmosa. Table 36 and section 3 of heading 7.2.1 of the PORN, map 15 of heading 11.2, maps 35, 37, and 38 of heading 11.3 of the PORN, and maps 35, 37, and 38 of heading 9 of the PRUG are modified.

The new wording delimits the Moderate Use Zone of the National Park: it includes the La Playa area up to the foot of the first dune ridge, from the limit of Matalascañas to the limit of Malandar beach, a strip between the urban limit of El Rocío and the fence of Caño Marín, and the rociero paths and camping areas of the brotherhoods within the National Park.

The areas established by the revised table are:

• National Park: 53,424.70 total hectares, with 12,376.62 in the Reserve Zone (23.17%), 40,387.98 in Restricted Use (75.60%), 652.67 in Moderate Use (1.22%) and 7.42 in Special Use (0.01%).
• Protection Zone of the A-483 highway (El Rocío-Matalascañas): 6,724.72 hectares.
• Natural Park: 68,236.40 hectares, of which 34,220.76 are in Zone B1 “mountain lands” (50.15%), 12,285.84 in Reserve Zone A (18%) and 4,595.73 in Common Regulation Zone C (6.15%).

Solar self-consumption and limits on dogs

Regarding energy, the order makes the implementation of solar electricity production facilities for self-consumption compatible in legally established existing buildings and facilities. Photovoltaic systems with a capacity not exceeding 10 kilowatts are permitted, as well as solar and photovoltaic systems with higher capacity intended for the self-consumption of existing buildings, legally constructed and adapted to urban and sectoral regulations. To this end, sections 1.b), 1.c) and 3.a) of heading 8.4.7 of the PORN and section 1.v) of heading 6.2 of the PRUG are modified.

The regulation becomes more restrictive regarding domestic animals. A point 10 is added to section 2.a) of heading 8.4.10 of the PORN, which prohibits the entry of dogs or other domestic species, whether leashed or not, and a point 4 is added to section 2.b) extending the prohibition to all public-use facilities. Exceptions are made for assistance dogs for people with disabilities or specific health conditions regulated by Law 11/2021, of December 28, and working dogs of the State Security Forces and Corps; exceptionally and subject to prior authorization, their entry will be permitted for management or conservation tasks of the area.

Zone B1 and viability of agricultural and livestock operations

The changes also affect the building regime in Zone B1. A letter u) is added to section 8.6.2.2.1 of the PORN, which allows the construction of permanent or temporary buildings and facilities linked to agroforestry operations, provided that their necessity is demonstrated, they are proportional to the activity, and the evaluation procedure guarantees their environmental compatibility. Letter d) of point 3 is reformulated to prohibit any new construction except those linked to existing agroforestry operations.

The text justifies the change based on the need to ensure the viability and permanence of these uses in a manner compatible with the conservation of biodiversity. Additionally, section 2 is modified and section 3 of heading 8.4.4 is removed to advance administrative simplification: access or use limitations for management reasons will be established by resolution of the director of the natural area.

Rociero transits and forestry work calendar

In the PRUG, the dates for forestry activities are updated to adjust to phenological changes: tillage and subsoiling, pruning, clearing, and cutting are concentrated between July 31 and February 28, with justified extensions until March 31 for pruning and until March 30 for cutting. Activities in nesting areas will be carried out between October and late December, and harvesting shall not take place within a radius of 400 meters around trees with raptor nesting platforms until the chicks leave the nest.

In the rociero transit routes, the dates are corrected and the list of brotherhoods is updated:

• Camino de Moguer: Moguer, Huelva, San Juan del Puerto, Gibraleón, Punta Umbría, Palos de la Frontera, Emigrantes, Isla Cristina, Ayamonte, and Cartaya.
• Vereda Almonte-Sanlúcar de Barrameda: affiliate brotherhoods of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María, Puerto Real, La Línea de la Concepción, Rota, Cádiz, Algeciras, Ceuta, Arcos de la Frontera, San Fernando, Chipiona, and Chiclana de la Frontera.
• Pedestrian pilgrimages along the Vereda Almonte-Sanlúcar: third weekend of October and third weekend of November.

The changes do not imply an increase in the maximum number of authorized vehicles on each path. For itineraries subject to concession, a transitional authorization is established for a maximum period of two years until the corresponding procedures are completed.

The scope of the order is relevant for farmers, owners, rociero brotherhoods, visitors, and park managers, because it more precisely defines the rules of use for a protected space of more than 68,000 hectares of Natural Park and 53,000 hectares of National Park. The regional ministry frames these adjustments within the legal certainty of the administered parties and more efficient management, without new administrative burdens or an increase in public spending.

Source: Official Gazette of the Junta de Andalucía (BOJA), no. 214, November 5, 2026, section 1. General provisions, page 14344 (official reference: 00345574).