Activists Challenge Hotel Project Near Sian Ka’an Reserve

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Sélvame del Tren has rejected the “Pastizales” initiative, the first large-scale hotel project authorized by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) in the influence zone of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

Guillermo DChristy, a member of Cenotes Urbanos and founder of Sélvame del Tren, announced that they will initiate media mobilizations and legal actions to request the revocation of the project because it does not comply with the characteristics mandated by the management program of the protected natural area, which prohibits large-scale hotel developments in the influence zone.

This is the first opinion from the main dissident citizen collective, recognized for pointing out and denouncing federal projects for the devastation of natural resources in this part of the country.

“We will ask for a review, and if they continue, we will be holding some demonstration or something similar, and it wouldn’t be the first time,” stated Guillermo DChristy.

Pastizales Project: Sequel to the Maya Train

The “Pastizales” project, promoted by private initiative, was authorized by the Federation to be carried out on the edge of Nopalitos Lagoon, in the Pino Suárez ejido, municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, within the influence zone of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

It plans the construction of 540 lodging units, including residential houses, with an investment of 50 million pesos. The promoters requested authorization for the change of land use in 2020 to carry out the clearing, and it was not until November that it was authorized by the current federal government.

In the project’s resolution, the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp) declared the initiative unviable because it is located in a fragile point with a direct connection to Sian Ka’an, as there is a risk of impacting the water reserve.

José Urbina Bravo, also a member of Sélvame del Tren, indicated that this project is part of the trail of real estate speculation left by the Maya Train, as it will be located near the railway line and a few kilometers from the Tulum International Airport, linked to the federal megaproject.