Conanp Restores Nature After Tren Maya Construction

Mexico — The National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp) is spearheading ecological restoration efforts in areas affected by the construction of the Tren Maya, according to Pedro Álvarez-Icaza, the agency’s director. The initiative includes wildlife crossings, reforestation, and potential legal protections for cenotes and caverns.

A Human-Centric Approach to Conservation

In an interview, Álvarez-Icaza emphasized that the current administration prioritizes a humanistic vision of conservation. “This approach centers on communities and Conanp personnel, aiming to establish management programs and create new protected areas through participatory processes,” he stated.

Conanp, a decentralized body under the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), oversees 232 federally protected natural areas and supports 602 voluntarily designated conservation zones, covering nearly 100 million hectares. Álvarez-Icaza described the agency as the “crown jewel” of Mexico’s environmental sector.

Progress and Future Goals

The official noted that under former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration, 50 new protected areas were established, and the privatization of natural resources was halted. With Claudia Sheinbaum now in office and Alicia Bárcena leading Semarnat, Álvarez-Icaza expressed confidence in the continued alignment of social and environmental justice.

The agency has outlined plans to expand conservation efforts and address climate change challenges, with a target of protecting 30% of Mexico’s territory by 2030.