Jaguar National Park Faces New Real Estate Threat

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Just months after the federal government inaugurated Jaguar National Park in Tulum, a real estate developer has submitted a request to Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) for permits to begin a housing project that would clear over 12 hectares of land within the conservation zone’s area of influence.

Development Plans Raise Environmental Concerns

The proposed project, named Nahkuh, is promoted by Tierra Maya Grupo Inmobiliario, Desarrolladores y Real Estate. According to its executive proposal, the development seeks a land-use change despite being situated near the protected Jaguar National Park—a detail omitted in the technical documentation submitted to Semarnat.

The plan involves clearing vegetation to construct unpaved roads made of gravel and sascab (limestone-based material), with long-term intentions to build a residential complex. The project targets Lot 005, a 44-hectare property along Federal Highway 109 toward Cobá, though only 12 hectares are currently under consideration for development. The site lies adjacent to the protected natural area and within its zone of influence.

Federal Conservation Efforts at Risk

In August 2022, the federal government designated 2,249 hectares in Tulum as a protected area to safeguard jaguars and other wildlife. Jaguar National Park consists of two separate polygons, with the westernmost section bordering the proposed Nahkuh site. The developer’s technical study does not acknowledge the park’s presence.

The National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp) has outlined mitigation zones within the park’s management plan to preserve flora and fauna, particularly species dispersing from the reserve’s core area. The developer claims the affected land will be used for roads, green spaces, and amenities, though the investment cost remains undisclosed.

Precedent of Environmental Restrictions

Earlier this year, the Quintana Roo state government attempted to drill a potable water catchment site in the same area but was denied due to conflicts with the protected reserve.

The proposal has drawn scrutiny as it advances through regulatory review, with environmental advocates likely to challenge its compliance with conservation mandates.