The law locks up the man or woman
Who steals the goose from off the common
But leaves the greater villain loose
Who steals the common from off the goose.
The law demands that we atone
When we take things we do not own
But leaves the lords and ladies fine
Who take things that are yours and mine.
(Google Translate renders this as La ley encierra al hombre o la mujer ¿Quién roba el ganso de lo común? Pero deja suelto al villano mayor Quién roba lo común de la gallina. La ley exige que expiamos Cuando tomamos cosas que no nos pertenecen Pero deja bien a los señores y las damas Quien toma cosas que son tuyas y mías).
Whilst the agricultural histories of our two nations are very different - both in chronology and nature - it seems we share some experiences. In this case it would seem to be the rapaciousness of the well-connected grandees and their power to evade what the common populace would regard as natural justice with few or no consequences.
It is to be hoped that the political tide is at last turning in favour of a complete restoration of this formerly superb natural area (although fine words are pointless without equally firm & expedient action). Not only would this fit better with the current political gestalt that is increasingly embracing the need for rewilding and protecting nature but would also provide more employment opportunities for local communities.
See http://blog.lagunalajanda.org/2021/05/23/the-biggest-squatters-in-spain/ for more details.