Profepa Shuts Down 17 Parcels for Illegal Clearing in Ría Celestún Reserve

Mérida, Yucatán — Mexico’s Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) has temporarily closed 17 plots of land in the municipality of Celestún, Yucatán, after detecting illegal land-use changes and forest clearing, including mangrove damage, inside the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve.

The operation took place on August 3 in coordination with the Yucatán government and covered 130.8 hectares across the 17 sealed parcels. A total of 397 officers and inspectors took part: 17 Profepa inspectors, 45 naval personnel, 35 National Guard members, and 300 officers from the Yucatán State Public Security Department.

Profepa head Mariana Boy Tamborrell said defending protected natural areas is a priority for the agency and warned that illegal clearing in high-value ecosystems constitutes a crime that will be reported to prosecutors. She said those responsible will face fines and be required to repair environmental damage, and she praised the Yucatán government’s collaboration in addressing the problem.

The closures stem from an investigation launched in late 2025 with state authorities. In March 2026, aerial reconnaissance confirmed land clearing, vegetation burning, and the promotion and sale of lots in the irregular developments known as “San Josué” and “Martha Elena.”

The affected area lies within the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve, a protected natural area established on November 27, 2000, that is home to diverse ecosystems and flora and fauna species protected under Mexico’s NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010 standard.

Profepa said coordinated operations to combat illegal land-use changes and other environmental damage in the reserve will continue in the coming months.