Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — A coalition of environmental organizations has called on Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo to incorporate the Xaman Ha Reserve into the newly established trinational Gran Selva Maya initiative, aimed at safeguarding the second-largest natural reserve in the Americas.
A Plea for Inclusion
The collective, known as Sélvame, expressed support for the environmental protection strategy, which involves collaboration between Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. However, they urged Sheinbaum, alongside Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo and Belizean Prime Minister John Briceño, to formally integrate the Xaman Ha Reserve into the plan.
In a public letter, the group emphasized the ecological significance of the reserve, stating, “It is critical that this reserve not only symbolizes our conservation efforts but also becomes a secure refuge for the aquifer, cenotes, and all life that depends on them. We urgently call for the inclusion of Xaman Ha, which protects our major rivers, cenotes, and subterranean ecosystems, in this initiative.”
Threats from Urban Expansion
The organization warned that unchecked real estate development is encroaching on the jungle, contaminating ecosystems, and endangering vital water sources. “Construction companies are invading the forest, polluting our ecosystems, and jeopardizing both the water we consume and the communities that rely on it,” the letter stated. “Cenotes and rivers are increasingly under threat, and immediate action is necessary.”
To counter these risks, the group demanded that the government designate these areas as biosphere reserves and enforce strict monitoring to prevent destructive activities. “Protecting the Selva Maya, its aquifer, and its resources is a responsibility we cannot ignore. We are literally in a battle for our land, and decisive measures must be taken to preserve it,” they asserted.
The appeal highlights growing tensions between conservation efforts and rapid urban development in the region.
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