Yaiza mayor calls for cross island support to protect camel riding heritage

The mayor of Yaiza, Óscar Noda, has called for unity between the Lanzarote Cabildo and the island’s seven municipal councils to defend the camel riding sector.

He has expressly requested that all public administrations approve institutional statements “supporting sustainable activity in Timanfaya and highlighting its tourist and cultural value and historical contribution to the well‑being of Lanzarote.”

In a direct appeal to political and civic leaders, the southern mayor warned that the sector is facing renewed hostility. “We are witnessing a new wave of attacks by entities and individuals who are unfamiliar with the activity and yet seek to demonise the work of the camel rivers of Uga,” Noda said. “We must make it crystal clear that Lanzarote stands united with the camel‑riding sector.”

Yaiza Ayuntamiento will send all administrations a draft of a duly substantiated institutional statement for their review and approval.

Noda stressed that the island’s population fully understands the importance of the trade. “The island’s population truly understands the value of the camel industry and the efforts made by camel herders to sustain Europe’s largest camel herd,” he added. “Without the sustainable camel‑riding tours in Timanfaya National Park, there would be no camels.”

The call for institutional backing follows a previous initiative from Yaiza. In 2020, the Ayuntamiento submitted a plenary resolution to the Cabildo urging the Island Government to begin proceedings to have the island’s camel herd declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage Asset.

Reaffirming the historical significance of the animal, Óscar Noda said: “It is impossible to overlook the historical and predominant role of the camel in farming work and in shaping the island landscape of Lanzarote, as well as the productive, sustainable and regulated activity today of a camel herding tradition linked to tourism, which even earned the National Distinction from the Association of Municipalities with Territory in National Parks in 2013.”