Riviera Maya, Q.R. — The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) has opened a public consultation into the creation of Natural Protected Areas. The areas under consideration include land in Solidaridad, Cozumel and Tulum.
A Preliminary Justification Study (EPJ) will be carried out by the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Conanp), which supports the Decree of the Felipe Carrillo Puerto Flora and Fauna Protection Area in the municipalities of Solidaridad, Cozumel and Tulum, Quintana Roo.
The creation of this Protected Natural Area (ANP) seeks to strengthen a continuum of jungles characteristic of the Province of the Yucatan Peninsula and coastal wetlands that provide shelter and food to the flora and fauna of the area, help control floods, function as a barrier against hurricanes and saline intrusion, improve water quality and promote pollination.
This site is of great importance for the protection of more than 1,660 species of animals and plants, including the black and spider howler monkey, jaguar, shrew, tropical porcupine, ocellated turkey, king vulture and plants such as the despeinada, pochote and granadillo.
Additionally, at least 34 pollinating species will be protected of which 22 are insects (butterflies, moths and bees) and 12 vertebrates, such as the cinnamon hummingbird and the fruit bat.
The Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Semarnat) and the Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (Conanp) work to strengthen the care of biodiversity and relevant ecosystem services to promote the quality of life of the communities that inhabit the area.
If approved, a total of 53 hectares will be considered Natural Protected Areas. Within that 53 hectares is the port of Punta Venado and the material bank lands where the company Sactun, formerly known as Calica, is located.
