Activists File Complaint Against Paradisus Meliá Hotel in Playa del Carmen for Alleged Mangrove Damage

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Environmental activists have filed a complaint with the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) against the Paradisus Meliá Internacional hotel, alleging damage to ecosystems and wildlife in a coastal environmental education center.

Activists Adriana Rosas, Cristina Pérez, Alan Rivera, and Carlos Jiménez reported that for six years they have been conducting environmental education courses in an area of Playa 88, adjacent to the coastal strip of the Luis Donaldo Colosio Murrieta neighborhood. However, they said hotel security personnel removed equipment belonging to the civil association “Centro de Desarrollo Humano Tukuul,” which used the space to teach environmental courses to children, and later placed lounge chairs for hotel guests.

According to the complainants, swings and lounge chairs were installed on the beach strip and coastal dune, just five meters from the shoreline, which is part of the Federal Maritime-Terrestrial Zone (ZOFEMAT), a common and inalienable area. They also reported the removal of native vegetation, including chit palm and sea lily, species protected under current environmental regulations.

The activists further alleged that soil compaction work was carried out, causing damage to approximately 1,000 square meters of mangrove, affecting species such as red, white, black, gray, and button mangrove.

Carlos Jiménez said the complaint was filed with PROFEPA to initiate investigations and determine possible sanctions. He noted that mangrove species are listed under NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010 as subject to special protection, making any harm illegal. He added that the alleged activities would lack an Environmental Impact Statement (MIA), forest land-use change permit, or ZOFEMAT concession, potentially violating the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection (LGEEPA) and its regulations.

Activist Adriana Rosas expressed confidence that federal authorities would not only investigate but also impose appropriate sanctions for the alleged environmental damage.

The complainants warned that coastal dunes serve as natural barriers against hurricanes and storm surges, and their degradation increases the vulnerability of coastal communities. They also noted that the hotel has a history of alleged environmental violations on the same property, which were reportedly sanctioned by federal authorities in previous years.