Isla Mujeres, Q.R. — State and municipal authorities have met to discuss the rescue of the Chacmochuch Lagoon. Mayor Atenea Gómez Ricalde led the inter-institutional meeting at the Costa Mujeres C2 Command and Control Center Tuesday.
She met with authorities from the state government to address various environmental and territorial problems affecting the ecosystem. During the meeting, a general diagnosis of the current conditions of the Chacmuchuch Lagoon was presented.
They talked about how the proliferation of illegal settlements and the illegal sale of land in wetland and mangrove areas is affecting the lagoon.
Other topics addressed included the protection of the blue crab, the closure of clandestine solid waste dumps and illegal fishing within the lagoon.
The State Secretary of Ecology and Environment (SEMA), Óscar Alberto Rébora Aguilera, highlighted the importance of strengthening coordination among all levels of government to preserve the region’s natural ecosystems and stop the illegal occupation of protected areas.
Rébora Aguilera acknowledged the efforts of the Isla Mujeres government and emphasized that the combined efforts will allow them to “move toward a more just and sustainable land-use plan in harmony with the environment.”
Among the short-term agreements reached, it was decided to install control and surveillance points at each of the three existing access points to the Chacmochuch Lagoon with the aim of maintaining greater environmental control and supervision, preventing illegal activities, and reinforcing the institutional presence in the area.
Likewise, it was agreed to carry out joint operations between municipal and state agencies to combat illegal settlements, the invasion of protected areas and the illegal sale of land, thereby reinforcing law enforcement and the protection of natural resources.
Similarly, it was established to maintain permanent working groups and move forward with the signing of inter-municipal collaboration agreements, including the participation of the municipality of Benito Juárez, which, being conurbated with Isla Mujeres, shares common ecosystems and environmental dynamics.
This closeness makes it essential to work in a coordinated manner to guarantee the comprehensive protection of the Chacmochuch Lagoon and its surroundings.
The mayor of Isla Mujeres thanked the state agencies for their participation and collaboration in these joint efforts to clean up the Chacmochuch Lagoon. The government reaffirms its commitment to environmental protection, territorial planning and the sustainable development of the municipality for the benefit of the island families and future generations.
The Chacmuchuch Lagoon is considered one of the most valuable ecosystems in the north of the state.
