Riviera Maya, Q.R. — The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) met with Greenpeace to discuss the rainforest. The two sides met Tuesday to talk about the conservation of the Mayan rainforest and land use planning in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Semarnat (Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales) reported that a meeting was held Tuesday with the management team of Greenpeace Mexico in which the environmental organization’s concerns about the environmental impacts in the Mayan rainforest and the need for better land management on the Yucatan Peninsula were addressed.
At the meeting, Semarnat public officials explained that the land use planning process in Tulum is being updated and that significant progress has been made with the land use planning in Bacalar, Benito Juárez, Isla Mujeres and Puerto Morelos.
They emphasized the importance of working in coordination with the states to identify irregular settlements and shared that the level of scrutiny of environmental impact permits has been increased with a preventive approach.
Regarding wildlife, Semarnat reported on a project with the Global Environment Facility that is underway and seeks to promote the coexistence of three emblematic animal species in Mexico, particularly the jaguar in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Also participating was the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa), who stated that it maintains ongoing inspection and surveillance efforts in the Yucatan Peninsula.
From inspections, the following, they reported, include 64 illegal real estate developments closed of which 31 are in Yucatan, two in Campeche and 31 in Quintana Roo.
An inter-institutional roundtable against illegal logging in Quintana Roo to curb deforestation caused by agroindustrial expansion has been created and the total and definitive closure of the Peninsular Livestock Pig Farm.
Inspection visits to pig farms in 20 municipalities in the state of Yucatan led to eight criminal cases against the farms. Profepa says they are working on the design and implementation of a comprehensive strategy to address the socio-environmental problems generated by the swine industry.
Permanent inspection and surveillance actions to curb illegal occupations and changes in land use in forested areas of the Yucatan Peninsula, among others.
Similarly, the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) reported that there are 39 Natural Protected Areas (NPAs) on the Yucatan Peninsula, which are constantly monitored and followed up.
Additionally, as part of long-term efforts, it highlighted that in August a historic agreement was signed between Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize for the creation of the Great Mayan Forest Biocultural Corridor (CBGSM), which protects 5.7 million hectares for the benefit of more than 7,000 species, 200 at risk, 50 priority species and 250 endemic to Mexico.
The National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change (INECC) highlighted the community surveillance work they are doing in the area and the assessments they are preparing on the use of pesticides and genetically modified organisms.
Likewise, the National Forestry Commission (Conafor) stated that funding has been provided for forest management in the Campeche and Quintana Roo regions, and that they recently began working with municipalities in the region on fire management.
The National Water Commission (Conagua) also stated that it will strengthen monitoring of water quality from pig farms.
In response, Greenpeace recognized the institutional openness and proposed the creation of thematic working groups with the participation of authorities from all three levels of government, academia, local communities, and social organizations, not only as consultees but also as active agents in the design and implementation of solutions.
A second meeting is planned for the first week of November to consolidate concrete agreements. The Mexican government’s environmental sector reaffirms its commitment to the conservation of the Mayan Rainforest and its full openness to dialogue with communities and social organizations.
