Mahahual, Q.R. — Mexico’s Secretary of Environment held a open public meeting Wednesday to listen to community concerns. Dozens of Mahahual residents attended the first public meeting they have had with a government official.
The Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources, Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, held the meeting with other state officials in Mahahual yesterday. Secretary Bárcena reiterated that her government does not plan to declare a Protected Natural Area in Mahahual.
She also said that any approved development must generate well-being for the communities. Locals raised the need to promote infrastructure, employment, address the sargassum problem, and community participation in decision-making regarding the region’s development at the Wednesday meeting.
During the meeting, Bárcena Ibarra listened to residents, fishing cooperatives, tourism service providers, civil society organizations, and community representatives to learn about their proposals for the future of the region and to build a shared prosperity agenda.
“We’ve come to listen to you. We want to understand how you see the present and future of Mahahual so that together with the communities, we can build a development model that generates prosperity, protects our natural heritage, and benefits those who live here.
“Prosperity must remain in the area and benefit the communities,” she said.
Bárcena Ibarra shared that President Claudia Sheinbaum asked her to visit Mahahual to hear directly from the communities about the region’s future and to work together with the local population to develop solutions.
“The president asked me to come to Mahahual, to listen to the people, to learn how they see the projects and what they want for their community, because well-being is built with the communities,” she stated.
She also indicated that the president has expressed her interest in Mahahual moving toward a sustainable tourism development model that generates direct benefits for the communities and preserves the region’s natural heritage.
Secretary Bárcena clarified that the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is not considering establishing a Protected Natural Area in Mahahual.
“Our commitment is to protect Mahahual. It’s not about creating a Protected Natural Area. What we want is to talk with you about mechanisms for shared prosperity and development that truly benefits the communities,” she stressed.
She pointed out that Mahahual’s challenges regarding water, drainage, waste, and infrastructure require comprehensive attention and coordination among all levels of government.
“What we want to discuss with you is what we can do together, the federal government, the state government, and the communities, to build solutions that balance development and environmental protection,” she stated.
During the meeting, residents and representatives from different sectors agreed on the need to promote a sustainable development model that will generate employment, improve infrastructure and expand economic opportunities for southern Quintana Roo, without compromising the region’s natural heritage.
Nautical service providers emphasized the importance of ensuring that local communities participate directly in the economic benefits derived from tourism projects and requested the strengthening of permitting schemes that prioritize local operators under principles of sustainable development and environmental conservation.
During the meeting, the importance of strengthening permanent working spaces between the community and the government was also reiterated, as well as promoting coordination tables to address issues of coastal development, tourism promotion and community well-being.
In response Secretary Bárcena announced the establishment of a permanent working group with community participation to address issues of urban development, ecological planning, services, waste management, water, and sustainable tourism.
She noted that the participation of other federal and state agencies will be necessary to comprehensively address Mahahual’s needs in the areas of health, infrastructure, land regularization, drinking water, and sanitation.
The meeting also addressed the technical observations made by the Ministry on various components of the Perfect Day project presented for the area, particularly regarding waste management, water availability, wastewater treatment and mangrove protection.
Secretary Bárcena reiterated that environmental decisions must be made by listening to all voices and considering both the protection of ecosystems and the well-being of communities.
“We want to hear your concerns, your needs, and how we can support you. Our priority is to listen to all voices and work hand in hand with you,” she said.
She emphasized that Mahahual has the potential to consolidate itself as a benchmark for community and sustainable tourism for the country, through a model that preserves the natural heritage and ensures that the economic benefits remain in the local communities.
