Mayor Denies Mangrove Deforestation Claims in Playa Mamitas

Playa del Carmen — In response to recent citizen complaints on social media alleging possible mangrove deforestation in Playa Mamitas, Mayor Estefanía Mercado clarified that the municipal government has not issued any construction permits for the area and that no environmental authorization has been granted by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).

No Evidence of Mangrove Clearing

"It is important to clarify that no individuals have been detected cutting mangroves with machetes, as has been claimed. However, it is also true that no authorization exists for any construction work at this site," the Mayor reiterated.

She emphasized that the local government has not granted construction licenses for the property and stressed that such permits would require prior approval of environmental impact assessments from Semarnat—a step that has not yet occurred.

Transparency and Environmental Protection

Mayor Mercado addressed the case, which has drawn public attention due to its potential environmental impact and the need for transparency in development approvals for ecologically sensitive areas.

The government of Playa del Carmen maintains a policy focused on environmental conservation. Since the beginning of the current administration, it has collaborated with environmental organizations and citizen groups to monitor and protect coastal ecosystems, particularly mangroves—a legally protected species critical to ecological balance.

The clarification comes amid heightened scrutiny over development projects in environmentally vulnerable zones, ensuring that regulatory procedures are followed to safeguard natural resources.