Developer Violates Environmental Seal in Tulum’s Soliman Bay

A protective seal, issued by the Federal Procuratorate for Environmental Protection (Profepa), was violated at Soliman Bay, Tulum. A developer is attempting to construct a seven-story building in a marine turtle nesting area. Members of the civil organization, Defending the Right to a Healthy Environment (Dmas), visited the site to confirm that construction was ongoing.

During their visit, they gathered evidence of non-compliance to present to a federal judge. They also noticed that the seal, which was no longer visible, had likely been removed by the workers to continue their work. The seal was put in place due to a judicial mandate that ordered Profepa to halt the construction, following the issuance of protection suspensions by district courts in Cancun.

Residents of the neighboring Tankah IV area noted that work had resumed last Wednesday, despite the presence of the closure seal. On a subsequent visit on Thursday, they discovered the seal had disappeared. The seal was a one-meter-long sticker that had been affixed to a plank at the construction site.

The lawsuit was initiated by local residents who have documented evidence of marine turtle nesting on the site. This protected species has a sanctuary, Xcacel-Xcacelito, located about five kilometers from the site. The construction site is also adjacent to the Mexican Caribbean Biosphere Reserve, which includes an important mangrove area.

The case is currently being supported by Dmas, the same organization that filed injunctions against the Maya Train and successfully defended Delfines beach against the Solaris development in Cancun. Dmas representatives have stated that they are preparing to file stronger legal actions to force authorities to comply with the protective measures of the guarantee trials.