Holbox Fire Threatens Yum Balam Reserve, Sparks Debate

HOLBOX, Quintana Roo — A fire that began days ago in the area known as 'La Ensenada' on Holbox Island remains out of control and has affected at least 100 hectares of vegetation, primarily chit palm, according to data from the National Forestry Commission (Conafor).

The blaze not only threatens the local ecosystem but also reopens a historical controversy surrounding the mega-tourism project that the company Península Maya Developments (PMD) intended to develop on this plot of land within the Yum Balam Protected Natural Area (ANP).

As of Wednesday, 61 brigadiers from Conafor and the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp) were participating in the firefighting efforts. They were supported by the Secretary of the Navy, municipal firefighters, and Civil Protection, aided by a helicopter from the company and an aircraft from the Government of Yucatán.

Despite these actions, the fire remains at just 30 percent containment and 20 percent extinguished, with at least 10 smoke plumes visible during the night.

According to the digital media outlet Ruptura 360, the municipal president of Lázaro Cárdenas, Josué Nivardo Mena, expressed his concern over the damage to native species of flora and fauna. He also assured that firefighting efforts have been reinforced.

For his part, biologist Rubén Presuel Polanco, a member of the Yum Balam advisory council, indicated that the intervention of specialized experts will be necessary to determine the origin of the fire. He also did not rule out natural causes during the rainy season.

Zone of Controversy

The area where the fire is burning has been the scene of controversy for over a decade. In 2012, PMD presented the 'La Ensenada' mega-tourism project, with file number 23QR2012TD073. It contemplated the construction of 875 villas and condominiums, three hotels with 195 rooms, a three-level tourist complex with commercial plazas, artificial canals, a port for 200 vessels, a helipad, and even golf courses, with an estimated investment of 3.2 billion dollars.

The initiative, which would occupy nearly a thousand hectares within the Yum Balam ANP, was rejected by environmental organizations and Holbox ejido holders, who considered it a risk to mangroves, endangered species, fishing activities, and the ecological balance of the area.

In January 2013, federal deputies including Ricardo Monreal Ávila, Ricardo Mejía Berdeja, and Luisa María Alcalde Luján succeeded in getting a point of agreement approved to urge the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) to deny authorization for the project and to publish the Management Program for the Yum Balam ANP.

Although the company formalized the cancellation of the proposal in 2014, the conflict with dissatisfied ejido holders continued, and distrust regarding intentions for tourism development on the island remains current.

Company's Stance

Regarding the new fire, the company's spokesperson, Lizbeth Pérez, explained that they currently do not know the cause of the flames but are certain they did not start on PMD's land. She recalled that the mega-project was canceled over a decade ago and reiterated that they will not revive it, though she acknowledged an intention to develop something in the area in the medium or long term.

"The company is supporting the authorities with all possible means because we are extremely interested in preventing this fire from advancing," said Pérez. "We are not going to revive that project because it was already withdrawn and we are not interested in being rejected again. (Regarding another project), that is the idea, but what is permitted by the existing Management Plan must also be reviewed, and we have to develop a project that is in accordance with that plan."