Illegal Tree Cutting Leads to Closure in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — The Municipal Environment Secretariat placed closure seals for the crime of illegal tree felling of a tree located on Avenida 28 de Julio in the “La Toscana” subdivision of Playa del Carmen, in response to a citizen complaint. Citizens Andrés Torres Pérez and Joel Díaz Mena are demanding municipal authorities apply sanctions to those responsible.

It should be noted that the felled tree was located between the side of Avenida 28 de Julio and a flower shop; its branches were cut up to be removed by truck.

Samantha Álvarez, head of Environment for the Playa del Carmen municipal government, reported that inspectors went to the location to corroborate the citizen complaint and placed closure seals at the scene where the tree was felled.

The responsible parties will be notified to appear before the Environment offices where the corresponding sanction will be determined.

For his part, citizen Andrés Torres said it is not acceptable for people to choose to cut down trees on Playa del Carmen’s avenues when we should protect and conserve trees to have a green city; it is reprehensible, and the government must apply exemplary sanctions to set precedents.

“We have to be vigilant to care for, protect, and conserve the few trees on the avenues; trees help us mitigate high temperatures,” added citizen Andrés Torres.

For his part, citizen Joel Díaz Mena mentioned that trees offer vital benefits: they purify the air, produce oxygen and absorb CO2, regulate the local climate, provide shade and reduce heat, protect soil from erosion, conserve water, are home and food for wildlife, and provide economic, social, and health benefits, improving quality of life in cities and ecosystems; they are essential for life, acting as the planet’s lungs.

“I do not agree with those people who cut down trees; they should receive high sanctions and be required to reforest more small trees on avenues that need green life. Many people cut down trees to display their businesses, and it is not acceptable that they attack nature,” opined Díaz Mena.