Activists Demand Protection for Underground Rivers in Maya Aquifer

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Following the announcement by Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), regarding the creation of the "Maya Aquifer" reserve, environmental activists in Playa del Carmen are urging the government to extend the protected zone to include underground rivers stretching as far as Calakmul, Campeche.

Push for Broader Conservation Efforts

José Urbina Bravo, founder of the group Sélvame del Tren, emphasized the need for concrete action, noting that previous commitments—such as the removal of fencing surrounding sections of the Tren Maya railway—have yet to materialize.

“This protected natural area must expand from the reef to Xcacel, connect with the famous Jaguar National Park, and safeguard the entire forested region from Cancún to Playa del Carmen, beyond Tulum, ensuring a biological corridor all the way to Calakmul,” Urbina Bravo stated.

The exact boundaries of the proposed protected area remain unclear, as the technical justification study has not been published. However, Urbina Bravo’s proposal would encompass a biological corridor spanning approximately 300 kilometers.

Government Pledges and Skepticism

Alicia Bárcena outlined the plan on Friday, July 4, during a meeting with local media, framing it as a measure to mitigate environmental damage caused by the Tren Maya project.

“For now, these are just words. We were told the fencing around the train would be removed, yet it remains in place. Many promises have been made that sound encouraging, but we have yet to see results. This is great news, and we are ready to collaborate with Semarnat,” Urbina Bravo added.

Guillermo DChristy, a water consultant and member of the collective, stressed that at minimum, the underground river systems between Playa del Carmen and Tulum must be shielded from further harm.

“The stretch from Cancún to Tulum, particularly Section 5, must be protected,” DChristy said.

Implications of Expanded Protections

Establishing a protected area of this scale would prohibit any environmentally impactful developments, including large-scale housing projects or infrastructure that could disrupt subterranean waterways.

The proposal comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the Tren Maya’s ecological consequences, with activists pressing for tangible conservation measures beyond verbal assurances.