Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — A land clearing project by a company in north Playa del Carmen has been shut down again. It is the second time in a month that the project has been closed for violations. However, this time, it has been referred to federal authorities to monitor its progress and ensure environmental compliance.
On Monday, the PDC Secretariat of Sustainable Environment and Climate Change closed a property on Avenue Xcalacoco. According to Secretariat Samantha Álvarez Hernández, the project was closed for not complying with the condition of their permits.
The closure came Monday after a weekend protest by area residents regarding the removal of trees and general vegetation. Álvarez Hernández said that the agency’s actions were in accordance with established protocols and in direct response to citizen complaints.
“About three weeks ago we received a complaint from the public. We responded to that report and realized that they indeed, did not have their plant removal permit, which is why we proceeded to close the property the first time,” she explained.
During this second closure, Álvarez Hernández said that fines were applied and that the company’s legal representative approached them to begin the process of regularizing the municipal permits.
The secretary elaborated that the company property consists of a total area of 45,153.7 square meters. They requested authorization to clear 4,289.3 square meters for the construction of a perimeter wall.
Álvarez Hernández explained that although they were issued a municipal permit, it includes strict conditions such as the obligation to notify the city of caverns, cenotes, protected fauna or other relevant environmental elements detected during the work.
“Having a permit doesn’t exempt you from being free to do whatever you want,” she said. “Permits have certain conditions that you must comply with.”
The official stated that the sanctions applied were in response to Mayor Estefanía Mercado’s instruction to act firmly against any environmental damage.
She also said that although the municipality lifted the closure order after initiating the corresponding procedures, the case was referred to the Federal Attorney’s Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa) to verify the continuance of the project in accordance with federal laws.
In the meantime, the city will continue to work with other authorities to ensure that all conditions are met and that the work remains within the legal boundaries.
