Environmental Agency Shuts Down Illegal Construction in Yucatan Nature Reserve

Merida, Yucatan — Mexican environmental authorities shut down multiple properties and found extensive illegal deforestation and construction during simultaneous operations in a protected nature reserve south of Merida.

The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) launched two coordinated inspections in the Cuxtal Reserve following complaints about illegal occupation, unauthorized land use, and illegal logging in the lowland jungle area.

Each inspection team included four Profepa inspectors, five National Guard members, and two state police officers. Reserve management staff, including the director and three park rangers, also participated in the operations.

What Inspectors Found

During the inspections, authorities discovered cleared jungle areas, unauthorized construction, more than 1,160 kilograms of charcoal without proper documentation of origin, and newly opened roads and trails within the protected area.

At a site called Hacienda Ana Victoria, inspectors found approximately one hectare of cleared forest vegetation and a perimeter wall made of concrete blocks measuring about 3 meters high.

Since no responsible party was present at the site and no authorization for forest land use change could be verified, authorities imposed a total temporary closure and placed official seals on the property.

In two additional inspections at different properties within the reserve boundaries, authorities documented a newly opened road measuring 379 meters long by 12 meters wide, affecting 4,548 square meters, plus another cleared area of 7,310 square meters. The work included land leveling and placement of stone material to create an embankment. With no forest authorization verified, this site also received a total temporary closure.

The operations aim to prevent further fragmentation of the lowland jungle ecosystem and protect environmental services provided by the Cuxtal Reserve, particularly water recharge and biodiversity conservation. Investigations continue.