Activists Fight Mega-Project in Sian Ka’an Reserve

QUINTANA ROO, Mexico — Environmental defenders who participated in the public consultation for the Puerta al Mar mega-tourism project are calling on the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) to deny the Secretary of National Defense (SEDENA) the authorization to build within the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.

The public consultation for the mega-project, which SEDENA is constructing within the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve along the route of the Maya Train, concluded on Tuesday, October 7.

For one month, any person had the opportunity to submit observations, suggestions, or proposals regarding the Environmental Impact Statement (MIA) for the project through the SEMARNAT portal. The project has an estimated cost of 175 billion pesos and has been under construction since August 2023, despite not having the required environmental permits.

The work consists of the expansion and paving of a 54.6-kilometer dirt track known as the "old road to Vigía Chico," which connects the town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto with the Caribbean Sea, crossing the Sian Ka'an wetlands.

The mega-project also contemplates other infrastructure, such as a restaurant, a parking lot with commercial premises, pedestrian walkways, and a pier with a viewpoint. Furthermore, where there are mangroves, the Army will create an artificial beach of 6,000 square meters with loungers, palapas, and a restaurant.

The Public Consultation Process

SEMARNAT must now read and analyze the observations received during the public consultation process for the project, officially named "Camino artesanal Puerta al Mar," and take them into account when deciding whether to grant or deny the permit for the construction. The agency also has the authority to convene a public information meeting, where SEDENA would have to explain the environmental technical aspects of the work and its potential impacts, in addition to the prevention and mitigation measures that could be implemented.

A Call to Deny SEDENA's Permit

"We are requesting that SEMARNAT deny SEDENA the authorization due to non-compliance with environmental law, given that the project began construction before obtaining the environmental permits and mangroves have already been destroyed," said a lawyer from Territorios Diversos para la Vida (Terravida), one of the organizations that participated in the Puerta al Mar public consultation.

"Also," she added, "we are requesting that the works be shut down in case they are in operation and that the corresponding sanctions be imposed."

Terravida pointed out to SEMARNAT that the MIA recognizes that the Army is developing activities that the Sian Ka'an Management Plan prohibits, such as promoting tourism and constructing works within the protected natural area.

"The MIA recognizes the habitat fragmentation that the project entails, which has an impact on the connectivity of species," said the lawyer.

The organization observed that the cumulative impacts of this work with others built in the area, such as the Maya Train, are not taken into account. It also highlighted that the potential effects on communities not located in the municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, such as Punta Allen, located across Ascension Bay from Puerta al Mar, are not contemplated.

Impacts on Symbolic Territory

The observations submitted to SEMARNAT are not solely related to the environmental impacts of Puerta al Mar.

"We participated in the public consultation process by pointing out a more cultural element, which has to do with the impacts on the symbolic territory. For us, the Mayan peoples, the old road to Vigía Chico has a spirit: there are the yumtsilo'ob, who are the guardians of the jungle and hold memory," said Ángel Sulub Santos, from the Community Center U kúuchil k Ch'i'ibalo'on of Felipe Carrillo Puerto.

He recalls that this road holds great importance in the memory of the local population, who recovered it from the soldiers sent to repress the Mayan people during the Caste War.

"We sent an observation to SEMARNAT also regarding the project's justification, given that the MIA states that it is a historical demand of the local people, of the Maya, but in reality, a part of the population does not want it," said Sulub Santos.

According to him, the jobs promised by the government are a mirage that does not compensate for the damages generated by the mega-project: "They are jobs with high fragility. We are seeing this now in Tulum, where the lack of tourists strongly impacts the economy of local workers," he stated.

Call for Meeting to Establish Protection Measures for the Mayan Jungle

Since the old road to Vigía Chico has been widened and paved, cars pass at high speed and there are already reports of animals being run over.

Carlos Samayoa, coordinator of the "México al grito de selva" campaign for Greenpeace Mexico, recalls that a road breaking into an ecosystem brings several impacts, not only environmental, as there are others related to real estate speculation that it may bring in the future.

"We have already issued an alert to the federal authorities and are awaiting a dialogue with SEMARNAT and other agencies to discuss protection measures for the jungle, which is at risk due to projects like the Maya Train and Puerta al Mar," said Carlos Samayoa.

"The complexity surrounding the jungle is extremely high and the issue must be addressed from a complex perspective. That is why we are seeking a multisectoral and inter-secretarial working group to shield the jungle from any threat. We were promised this dialogue and we hope to have concrete dates soon."