New Decree to Protect Quintana Roo Cenotes in 2026

Quintana Roo, Mexico — Quintana Roo is preparing to have a new decree for a Protected Natural Area (ANP) focused on the conservation of its subterranean rivers and cenotes, an essential ecosystem for life, water supply, and biodiversity in the region. This was confirmed by María del Carmen García Rivas, national director of Conservation for Conanp, who highlighted that the project is advancing with the help of specialists.

Protection of the Aquifer: Priority for 2026

According to García Rivas, the decree is currently in a technical and scientific process, with the goal of ensuring that all human activity on the surface has the least possible impact on the water table.

“We experts are working on it, especially trying to motivate that everything done on the surface impacts the water table as little as possible,” she stated.

The official noted that Conanp expects the decree to be ready in 2026. To achieve this, additional resources are already being managed to strengthen the project’s operation.

Although There Will Be More Budget, It Is Not Sufficient

The 2026 fiscal package contemplates a 50% increase for Conanp, equivalent to 1,500 million pesos, but even so, it is insufficient due to the multiple territories that need conservation.

Therefore, the agency seeks to add support from:

• International foundations,
• Civil organizations,
• Private companies,
• Local communities,
• As well as more federal resources.

The objective is to guarantee effective protection of the cenote and subterranean river system, fundamental for water recharge and environmental stability of the Yucatán Peninsula.

Real Estate Developments, a Growing Threat in Quintana Roo

García Rivas warned that Quintana Roo is one of the states most affected by construction in environmentally vulnerable zones. Although there are already initiatives for regenerative tourism and sustainable reconversion, the official emphasized that the carrying capacity is at its limit.

“The construction of new hotels and developments must be done intelligently, with low impact on the reefs and the layers of subterranean waters,” she specified.

Aquifer at Risk Due to Contamination and Salinity

The coastal lagoons in the north and south of the state are among the most deteriorated zones. Additionally, water availability is increasingly complicated due to contamination of the aquifer, both from nutrients derived from wastewater and from saltwater intrusion.

The new decree aims to lay the foundations for sustainable management, guarantee water quality, and reduce impacts derived from urban and touristic development in one of the country’s most ecologically sensitive regions.