Riviera Maya’s Wildlife at Risk

Riviera Maya, Mexico — In Quintana Roo, one of the country's most dynamic tourist destinations, urban growth is advancing rapidly, often in tension with the natural wealth that distinguishes the region. The jungle, the cenotes, and the local fauna coexist with the expansion of residential complexes, hotels, and services. In this scenario, Carlos Antonio Mimenza Novelo, a Quintana Roo businessman with a long career in the real estate sector and in conservation projects, has raised the need to find a real balance between development and sustainability.

His experience has led him to promote initiatives such as the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary & Rescued Animals, in addition to reflecting on the responsibility that private capital must assume in environmental protection. With this vision, he proposes that the future of cities be built without losing sight of the biodiversity that makes them unique. What follows is a conversation in which Carlos Antonio Mimenza Novelo shares his perspective on the challenges of building without destroying and the role that both society and investors can play in this process.

From Your Experience, Carlos Antonio Mimenza Novelo, What Role Does Sustainability Play in Current Urban Development?

"Sustainability can no longer be seen as an add-on," stated Mimenza Novelo. "When cities are built without foreseeing mobility, green spaces, or access to water, the result is an environment disconnected from people's lives. From my perspective, any project must integrate these elements from the start, because the alternative generates pressure on services and directly affects the quality of life."

You Have Promoted the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary. How Did This Initiative Begin and What Do You Aim to Convey?

"The sanctuary arose from the need to care for animals that did not have an adequate space for their recovery," he explained. "Over time, it transformed into a place that combines wildlife rescue, education, and responsible tourism. What we want to convey is that conservation does not depend solely on the public sector; private initiative and the community can also collaborate in this effort."

What Importance Do You Place on Citizen and Academic Participation in Conservation Projects?

"It is fundamental," Mimenza Novelo emphasized. "We have established agreements with universities that send biology and veterinary students to do internships, and we also host children from local schools. If the new generations understand the value of biodiversity, they will be better prepared to care for it. Sustainability cannot be built with speeches alone; it needs collective decisions and visible commitments."

In the Real Estate Sector, How Is the Dilemma Between Profitability and Environmental Care Confronted?

"It is a constant challenge," he acknowledged. "There is always pressure to obtain quick results, but true sustainability is demonstrated when decisions resist that pressure. I have repeated many times that being sustainable on paper is simple; the difficult part is sustaining it in practice, especially when the numbers push in the opposite direction."

Do You Believe the Private Sector Has a Key Role in the Urban-Environmental Balance?

"Without a doubt," he asserted. "Investors transform cities, but they must do so with a long-term vision. If decisions are made only to address immediate needs, the result is over-densification and environmental deterioration. In contrast, when private capital assumes its responsibility, it can become an engine for more balanced and functional cities."

Finally, Carlos Antonio Mimenza Novelo, What Message Would You Like to Leave Regarding the Future of Quintana Roo in This Matter?

"I am interested in future generations recognizing that there were real efforts to reconcile development and respect for nature," he concluded. "It is not only about infrastructure, but about leaving a legacy where cultural identity and biodiversity continue to form an essential part of urban life. That is the balance we must seek."

At the end of the interview, Carlos Antonio Mimenza Novelo made it clear that sustainability must become the axis of development for the Riviera Maya. His approach places biodiversity as a strategic asset for the economic and social future of Quintana Roo. The idea of responsible urbanism, capable of integrating nature and progress, is projected as the true challenge for those who today make decisions about the territory.