Quintana Roo Governor Boosts Natural Resource Protection

Quintana Roo, Mexico — In an effort to strengthen the protection of natural areas and advance toward orderly and sustainable development, a working meeting was held between the head of the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), Pedro Álvarez-Icaza, and the state governor, who emphasized the importance of strategic programs and projects for Quintana Roo.

The encounter focused on a comprehensive review of initiatives that seek not only to preserve the environment but also to foster balanced growth that benefits local communities. During the meeting, it was highlighted that more than 30% of the state territory is under some category of natural protected area, which represents both a challenge and a great opportunity to implement a sustainable development model.

The governor highlighted Quintana Roo’s alignment with Mexico’s international commitments, especially with the 30×30 goal of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which aims to protect at least 30% of terrestrial and marine ecosystems by the year 2030. In this sense, emphasis was placed on the need to adopt an environmental justice approach that places at the center the communities that have historically been guardians of these ecosystems, as is the case with the artisanal fishermen of Punta Herrero, whose livelihood depends on the health of the natural protected areas.

During the conversation, both agreed that environmental conservation can only be authentically sustainable when it translates into social well-being and fair development opportunities for local communities. This comprehensive approach seeks not only the protection of biodiversity but also the strengthening of the social fabric in Quintana Roo, creating a necessary balance between environmental preservation and human development.