Revitalizing Cancún’s Nichupté Lagoon: Eco-Friendly Bridge Project

Authorities are implementing various measures to minimize the environmental impact of a bridge construction project over the Nichupté lagoon. Recognizing the importance of the local mangrove area for marine life and hurricane protection, these measures aim to oxygenate the lagoon water and stimulate the growth of the vegetation.

Fernando Haro Salinas, the head of the Ecology Department in Benito Juarez, is exploring the possibility of opening channels within the mangroves. "This is part of the compensatory measures for the bridge construction, as well as for the preservation of 306 hectares of mangroves in this area," he explained.

Salinas reported that the project, which has been underway for several months, has received approval from Semarnat and the Ministry of Communications and Transport (SCT). As part of their oversight, they conducted a supervisory tour of the mangrove area and plan to open eight main channels and 32 secondary ones. Work on some of these channels has already begun.

The Nichupté lagoon has been grappling with various environmental issues since 2016, primarily due to the proliferation of tourist constructions like marinas and restaurants. It has also been revealed that drains connected to the lagoon are causing significant pollution.

In May of this year, the Mayab environmental group filed a lawsuit against the bridge construction project. They argued that it adversely affects the mangrove reserve and results in the release of toxic substances into the area. The group warned of alarming impacts to the Nichupté lagoon's mangrove reserve, including non-compliance with preventive and mitigation measures, deforestation, fragmentation of the ecosystem, and disruption of hydrological flow towards wetlands.

The Nichupté lagoon is located within a protected Natural Area where low-impact tourist activities are permitted.