Transhumance, an ancestral pastoral practice that has shaped both the landscape and the culture of numerous regions of Spain, is being revitalised and protected thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Culture, through the implementation of a Safeguarding Plan for the protection and promotion of the intangible cultural heritage associated with transhumance. Innogestiona Ambiental, an environmental engineering firm committed to sustainability and rural development, has been selected to carry out this work.
The plan not only contemplates the preservation of traditional routes and animal welfare, but also focuses on the real problems of shepherds and the communities that depend on this activity. For this reason, Innogestiona Ambiental has set up a public opinion mailbox on its website, both for shepherds (FORM) and for citizens in general (FORM) who are interested in expressing their opinion on the matter.
Innogestiona Ambiental’s commitment to transhumance reflects a broader vision of sustainability and cultural conservation. By supporting this age-old practice, we not only preserve an integral part of Spanish identity, but also promote a sustainable way of life that harmonises the relationship between humans and nature.
Transhumance is essential for the ecological corridors and ecosystems of the south and north of the Iberian Peninsula, and vital for the 10,000 families that depend on it. Adaptation to climate change, population fixation in rural environments, diversification of the economy or sustainable management of natural resources are some of the elements that define transhumance; an activity declared ‘Representative Manifestation of Intangible Cultural Heritage’ in Spain since 2017, and approved by UNESCO in 2023 for inclusion in the list of Intangible Heritage of Humanity through the Spanish Ministry of Culture, as a symbol of a way of life that is expressed through a sustainable relationship between humans and nature.
The Ministry of Culture seeks not only to safeguard an essential part of Spain’s cultural heritage, but also to promote rural development that is inclusive, sustainable and connected to the needs of the 21st century. Transhumance, with its natural rhythm and its deep connection with the land, is presented as a model of resilience and adaptation, a mirror in which to look to in order to build a future where tradition and innovation go hand in hand.
