Bacalar’s Pristine Coast at Risk – Plans for Protected Natural Area

Bacalar, a coastal region of Quintana Roo, may soon be designated as a Protected Natural Area (PNA). While the official decree is still pending, the local government has made significant progress towards this goal.

In a collaborative effort with the Federation, the Quintana Roo government has transferred 400 hectares of land in Punta Pulticub to the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat). This move is part of a swap agreement endorsed by the Institute of Administration and Appraisals of National Assets (Insabin) and has been published in the Official Journal of the Federation.

Punta Pulticub, situated on Bacalar's coast north of Majahual, is a pristine and remote area teeming with biodiversity. However, the transfer of this land does not automatically confer PNA status. The area is now reserved for potential protection, but a formal decree is still required to officially designate it as a PNA.

The transferred land is home to 115 species of flora and fauna, many of which are endemic and some endangered, including the jaguar and the ocelot. The area is also part of a vital biological corridor that supports the mobility and reproduction of these species, significantly contributing to the biodiversity of the Yucatán Peninsula.

In return for the land in Punta Pulticub, Quintana Roo received 664 hectares spread across 11 plots within the Tulum National Park. This land will aid in the relocation of settlements and enhance the management of the park, which currently faces substantial environmental and social challenges.