Cancun, Q.R. — Authorities in Cancun have shut down a development construction project being built in a protected area. On Thursday, Mayor Ana Paty Peralta accompanied personnel from Protección al Ambiente del Estado de Quintana Roo (PPA) to shut down the illegal project.
In response to citizen complaints, the Environmental Protection Attorney’s Office of the State of Quintana Roo (PPA) and the Benito Juárez City Council, jointly carried out a new closure of a development located on a property on the highway on the border of Benito Juárez and Isla Mujeres, heading to Punta Sam.
PPA head Fernando Haro Salinas said the area intervened is within a protected federal zone, classified as “0” density, which means that any type of construction is strictly prohibited.
He explained that the first closure was carried out on November 6 after confirming the filling of mangroves and the clearing of vegetation in a region that houses white, black, potonsino and red mangroves, key species for the ecosystem.
He indicated that when carrying out a tour on Thursday, November 21, together with the state authority, they detected that the closure seals were violated and illegal activities were resumed. With that, the Directorate of Ecology carried out a second closure which will result in administrative sanctions and the definitive suspension of the project.
“This is a clear example that we will not allow anyone to attack the environment. Cancun is working in close coordination with state authorities to guarantee the protection of our natural areas and stop any activity that affects our natural resources,” he said.
He explained that under the guidelines established by the mayor, the commitment to protect the natural environment is reiterated since the development of the city cannot be at the expense of the environment and the ecological balance that sustains the communities.
Fernando Haro stressed that this type of action represents irreversible damage to the ecosystems, affecting not only the protected species, but also the quality of life of future generations. Therefore, he invited citizens to join in the surveillance and care of the natural environment, reporting any illegal activity.
