Environmentalists Await Semarnat Ruling on 306 Species at Risk From Mahahual Mega-Project

Mahahual, Quintana Roo — Environmental groups are awaiting a decision from Mexico’s environmental authority on the fate of 306 species in the coastal town of Mahahual, where Royal Caribbean plans to build a massive water park on 90 hectares of jungle.

After Supreme Court ministers ruled in favor of the Perfect Day project, activists are now focused on the ruling from the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) regarding the company’s Environmental Impact Statement (MIA), as well as the review of three citizen amparo lawsuits against the development, said Irma Morales Cruz, a lawyer with the Right to a Healthy Environment civil association (DMAS A.C.).

Environmental groups have been fighting the project, which they say poses a serious threat to the entire coastal ecosystem, despite support from business leaders in southern Quintana Roo and local and state governments, who argue the $1 billion investment will boost the region’s economy.

Morales said the project is stalled but not canceled. Semarnat is expected to issue its ruling on the MIA around June, and she argued it should not be approved because, in addition to endangering the coastal and jungle ecosystem, the town lacks a sewage system.

Greenpeace released a video stating it had submitted a study to Semarnat on the impacts of Perfect Day in Mahahual. The group noted that the entire area is mangroves and wetlands where one cannot even walk, but the project would replace them with pools and water slides up to 63 meters high. Greenpeace said the company’s study submitted to Semarnat lacks a serious analysis of the effects of paving over porous soil, which could cause deep and often severe damage to the Mahahual ecosystem.

The environmental group said it presented a study of more than 100 pages, providing valuable information to the country’s environmental decision-makers. As an alternative, they launched the campaign “Mexico at the Cry of the Jungle,” inviting people to sign a petition to protect Mahahual.

Citizen Daniel Azuara noted that 306 animal species live in Mahahual, 45 of which are endangered, including jaguars, ocelots, sea turtles, manatees, and spider monkeys. Royal Caribbean wants to destroy 90 hectares to build a water park meters from the world’s second-largest coral reef. The company has already purchased the land and has support from state and municipal governments. Days ago, three judges cleared the legal path for the project, but Semarnat has not yet approved the MIA.

In addition to government backing, the cruise company’s project has support from the private sector in southern Quintana Roo, including leaders of Coparmex, AMPI, the College of Engineers, and ITCH, who argue it will bring real estate benefits, jobs, quality of life, and urban and environmental regulation.

During a public consultation organized by Semarnat, supporters said Perfect Day will integrate sustainability, environmental care, and economic development with a long-term vision, including the planned construction of 2,000 homes to absorb demographic impact, the generation of 6,000 direct and indirect jobs, and the use of already-impacted land.

Josué Osmany Hoil, president of Coparmex, said, “Perfect Day will integrate Mahahual with international tourism schemes under environmental protection criteria, generate confidence for investors, and strengthen public infrastructure in the region.” He added that southern Quintana Roo “has waited years for a project of this nature” that combines sustainability, environmental care, and economic development, and stressed that Royal Caribbean is committed to complying with environmental conditions.