SEMARNAT Denies 24 Wells in Tulum’s Jaguar Park

Tulum, Mexico — The Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) has denied authorization to the Potable Water and Sewerage Commission (CAPA) of Quintana Roo for a project proposing the drilling of 24 water extraction wells within the Jaguar National Park in Tulum.

The decision highlights the tension between increasing resource demands and conservation priorities. SEMARNAT halted CAPA’s plan to exploit the aquifer in one of Tulum’s most critical protected natural areas. The federal rejection prevents the state-owned utility from establishing a new water catchment zone through deep well drilling along the park’s boundaries.

The Rejected Project: Water for Rapid Development

CAPA’s proposal sought to expand potable water supply to meet surging demand in Tulum’s coastal zone, which has experienced a real estate and hotel boom over the past decade. The plan included drilling 24 deep wells to create a new water extraction field. However, the proposed site fell within the Jaguar National Park, a federal conservation initiative protecting the region’s jungle, cave systems, and underground rivers.

SEMARNAT’s Reasoning: Environmental Risks

SEMARNAT based its denial on potential negative environmental impacts, warning that large-scale groundwater extraction in the sensitive ecosystem could disrupt hydrological balance, harm endemic flora and fauna, and endanger the integrity of cenotes and subterranean rivers forming the Great Maya Aquifer.

“The project was halted due to its adverse effects on the Jaguar Park. Protecting the aquifer is a priority,” a source familiar with the environmental assessment stated.

The Bigger Picture: Water Scarcity Amid Urban Expansion

The decision reflects broader challenges in Tulum, where unchecked urban and tourism development has strained water resources. Environmental groups view CAPA’s proposal as symptomatic of an impending water crisis, warning that without sustainable planning, aquifer depletion could become irreversible.

SEMARNAT’s ruling sets a crucial precedent for balancing development and ecological preservation in Tulum’s future.