Tulum, Q.R. — Tulum Mayor Diego Castañón Trejo says he is celebrating news from Congress who have approved a reform proposal. A reform proposal to the general laws on National Assets and Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection was pitched earlier this week to Congress to ensure public access.
On Tuesday, the President of the Political Coordination Board and Coordinator of Morena, Ricardo Monreal Ávila, asked the Tourism Commission to support his initiative that modifies the General Law of National Assets and the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection, with the objective of ensuring free, permanent, and unrestricted access to beaches and Protected Natural Areas (ANPs).
Monreal emphasized that the “indirect privatization” of natural heritage cannot be allowed and that free access “is a human right linked to equality, freedom of movement, and the enjoyment of a healthy environment.”
He explained that the proposal harmonizes this right with ecological protection, creating an inclusive conservation model that prevents private individuals, such as hotel developments or concessionaires, from closing access points or imposing entry fees.
He acknowledged that many Áreas Naturales Protegidas (ANP) face budget shortfalls that have resulted in access fees. Therefore, he announced that during the budget discussion, he will propose reallocations of 500 million pesos to strengthen their operations and prevent the lack of resources from affecting rights.
“The State must take responsibility, and citizens must be able to fully enjoy these spaces,” he said.
The legislator noted that the initiative was his own and that of Representative Enrique Vázquez Navarro, with endorsements from representatives of various states from Chiapas to Jalisco, Veracruz, Sinaloa, Sonora and Quintana Roo.
He submitted a technical document to the Committee that strengthens their arguments. He added that they will seek to update the law before the World Cup, and that if approved by the committee, the ruling will be forwarded to the full session.
“Mexico has more than 12,000 kilometers of coastline and extraordinary natural wealth. It is our obligation to guarantee its conservation and equal access for Mexicans and visitors,” he noted.
During his speech, he also denounced the excessive fees being charged by the private companies that run Tulum’s Jaguar Park. “Mexico’s natural wealth must be accessible to everyone, not just those who can pay disproportionate fees,” Monreal said during his Tuesday speech.
The ruling on the initiative, which was approved Wednesday in a unanimous vote, will be discussed in coming weeks with the goal of establishing clear guidelines to regulate charges for access to natural areas.
In the case of Jaguar Park, authorities acknowledge that its current management structure could enter a transition phase in the short term. Legislative sources indicated that the current administration of the Jaguar Park’s time is limited as the reforms promoted by the Chamber of Deputies aim to thoroughly review the way access to protected natural areas is managed and financed, particularly in high-profile tourist destinations like Tulum.
On Wednesday, Tulum Mayor Diego Castañón followed the Congress ruling, celebrating the reform approval. “Beaches are part of our identity and a right for all. That’s why I celebrate the news coming from Congress: one more step toward guaranteeing free access to our coasts.
“This achievement would not be possible without the support of great allies like Representatives Ricardo Monreal and Enrique Vázquez, Governor Mara Lezama, and Senator Eugenio Segura Vázquez.
“With their support, we continue to demonstrate that transformation advances when we put people at the center. Tulum deserves open, clean, and safe beaches, and we will continue working to ensure that this happens,” he said.
