“New Chunyaxché Protected Area: Biodiversity Paradise in Quintana Roo!”

Quintana Roo may soon boast a new Natural Protected Area. The preliminary study for the Chunyaxché Flora and Fauna Protection Area has been published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF). The proposed area is located in the municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto and spans over 5,509-03-82.28 hectares. The study was conducted by the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) and the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Conanp) to justify the declaration of the area.

The document is available for public viewing at the office of the Director of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo, and at the Semarnat representation office in Cancún. The proposed Chunyaxché Flora and Fauna Protection Area (APFF Chunyaxché) is home to 2,186 native species, including three prokaryotes, 78 protoctista, 602 vascular plants, 1,028 invertebrates, and 475 vertebrates. Of these, 129 species are endemic, making up 46 percent of the species recorded in Quintana Roo.

The area's vegetation includes high or medium sub-perennial forests, high or medium sub-deciduous forests, savannas, and low sub-perennial forests. The endemic vascular plants represent 35% of the state's species richness, with 55 species having a restricted distribution in the Biotic Province of the Yucatan Peninsula.

The proposed APFF Chunyaxché aims to conserve territories for sustainable and equitable development, promoting well-being for all. It also seeks to preserve and restore ecosystems and protect biocultural heritage by preserving species integral to traditional practices in nearby regions.

The proposed protected zone spans across the 307 Chetumal-Cancún highway, starting around kilometer 180, heading towards Tulum. The northwest access is located by the Tepich-Chumpón highway, near the town of Chumpón. Continuing along the highway, the area extends to the towns of Cecilio Chi and Chunyaxché. The northern area of APFF Chunyaxché provides access to the Tulum International Airport and the Tulum Airport Maya Train station in Felipe Carrillo Puerto.


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