Quintana Roo Pushes 4 Eco-Laws via Citizen Initiative

Quintana Roo, Mexico — In an unprecedented move, residents from all 11 municipalities of Quintana Roo have presented a package of four legislative initiatives to the state Congress, aimed at protecting ecosystems and promoting sustainable urban development. The grassroots movement, called OncePorCuatro, is backed by over 20 social and environmental organizations.

Citizen-Led Initiative Addresses Government Inaction

The proposals were formally submitted to the state Congress on Monday, following an earlier presentation on April 24 at the office of Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa in Cancún. The initiative seeks to address urgent environmental degradation caused by uncontrolled urbanization, poor planning, and government inaction.

Key figures behind the effort include Antonella Vázquez of the association Defendiendo el Derecho a un Medio Ambiente Sano (DMAS), Roberto Rojo of the collective Cenotes Urbanos, and Aarón Siller of the Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental (CEMDA).

Four Proposed Laws to Combat Urban and Environmental Chaos

The legislative package proposes reforms to the Ley de Asentamientos Humanos y Ordenamiento Territorial, the Ley de Acciones Urbanísticas, the Ley de Protección Civil, and the state’s Código Penal. Each proposal targets a critical issue:

1. Ley Tajamar
   Mandates that municipal Risk Atlases must include the location of wetlands, mangroves, cenotes, and underground rivers. This data must be publicly accessible and used in urban planning.

2. Ley Pok Ta Pok
   Requires environmental impact studies assessing carrying capacity before approving any land-use changes or urban plans, addressing infrastructure collapse and water pollution.

3. Ley de Movilidad Sustentable
   Demands that all new urban plans incorporate comprehensive mobility strategies, prioritizing public transport, traffic reduction, and pedestrian safety.

4. Ley Solimán
   Aims to curb overdevelopment and illegal construction by introducing new penalties in the Penal Code for negligence in urban oversight. It also obligates the state to repair damages in irregular settlements lacking basic services.

Legal Backing and Citizen Frustration

Antonella Vázquez emphasized that the proposals also seek to enforce a 2023 court ruling related to Cancún’s Programa de Desarrollo Urbano (PDU). With no progress from Congress, citizens took matters into their own hands.

The OncePorCuatro movement reflects growing public demand for accountability and sustainable governance in Quintana Roo.