Riviera Maya, Q.R. — The National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Conanp) is looking to have the underground water system protected. Following a recent proposal by civil environmentalists, the federal agency is looking to have the underground water system of the Yucatan Peninsula considered a natural protected area.
Pedro Álvarez Icaza who heads the Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (Conanp) says it is the first of its kind in the country. He said following the proposal, authorities are looking into having the Yucatan Peninsula ‘s network of cenotes and underground rivers become a protected natural area.
He said they hope to be able to present the declaration this year for approval, starting in Playa del Carmen with a view to extend it to all of Quintana Roo and, in the future, to Yucatan.
Álvarez Icaza said Conanp is promoting studies to understand the state of water in southern Quintana Roo. The intention of promoting this declaration is, in addition to protecting the unique ecosystem, to promote environmental mitigation actions.
“After the train we’re going to restore and compensate, and from that, we’ll have better conditions for protection. I also believe that with this initiative to protect caverns and underground spaces we can help compensate for some of the damage that has been done,” he stated during the Citizen Consultation Forum for the Development of the Sectoral Program for the Environment and Natural Resources.
Based on this proposal, studies will be carried out to document the current state of water flow, potential contamination risks and the quality of the water.
