Urbanization Threatens Campeche and Yucatán Ecosystems

Concerns are growing in the ports of the Eastern Coast due to rapid, uncontrolled expansion. This growth is posing a threat to both the local population and the ecosystem. In areas such as El Cuyo, Río Lagartos, and San Felipe, there is a lack of space for housing construction. This unregulated expansion is leading to the displacement of locals, who are being replaced by large investors keen on acquiring land for hotel and tourist development projects. Biologist Julián Rojas highlights that this urban expansion, particularly due to its proximity to the nesting zone of the pink flamingo, carries severe consequences.

The escalating urbanization is directly impacting the mangroves, which are being destroyed to accommodate urban development. This encroachment on areas not designated for population growth is leading to the destruction of these valuable ecosystems. Concerns are further heightened by the increasing birth rate, the influx of transient population, and the settlement of foreigners, all of which are exerting pressure on the resources available in the ports. Rojas points out that the 1979 Presidential Decree, which established the Ría Lagartos Wildlife Refuge, left the legal situation regarding land ownership in this area ambiguous. Despite being a declaration, it did not specify property rights or establish compensation or expropriation plans. Within the Reserve area, different ownership regimes exist, including private, national lands, communal land endowment, maritime-terrestrial federal zone, and salt production concession.

The real estate expansion in the West of Mérida is also a source of concern. The lack of clear land management has facilitated the sale of communal lands and the transfer of national lands to private individuals. This issue has escalated in areas like El Cuyo, where large investors are buying lands to develop tourist complexes catering to international tourists. The mishandling of communal lands has led to disputes and damage to the surrounding ecosystem. The unregulated growth, fueled by mass tourism, poses a threat to the ecological balance and social harmony in the area. Pollution, the increase in land value, and the destruction of the mangroves in San Felipe and Río Lagartos are alarming issues that necessitate urgent regulatory measures to safeguard natural resources and local communities.