With the unfurling of a banner on scaffolding in front of the Palace of Fine Arts, Greenpeace protested against the Perfect Day mega-tourism project in the Mayan Jungle, Quintana Roo, stating that the decision to authorize it rests with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).
In response, the institution headed by Alicia Bárcena affirmed that this project is still undergoing environmental assessment and, to date, does not have environmental authorization for its development, construction, or operation.
“The agency is conducting a comprehensive review of the environmental impact statement submitted by the proponent. As part of the technical process, Semarnat has identified elements that require specialized analysis, including observations related to planned infrastructure, environmental mitigation measures, and potential impacts on coastal and marine ecosystems,” the agency stated in a press release.
Semarnat reiterated that environmental decisions are made based on technical, legal, and scientific criteria, prioritizing the protection of ecosystems and the public interest.
Shortly before 6 a.m., six activists wearing red overalls and yellow helmets climbed the scaffolding erected in front of one of the capital’s iconic monuments and unfurled a banner with the message: “Semarnat presents: Perfect Day, The Decision. Water slides or environmental protection, that is the question,” along with an image showing the two sides of the megaproject: on one hand, the tourist attraction with water slides; on the other, underwater, the destruction of marine life and the ecosystem as it receives waste.
The project, promoted by Royal Caribbean in Mahahual, Quintana Roo, involves deep foundations, alteration of mangroves, and risks to the karst system and the aquifer on which Mahahual depends, where mangroves interact with endangered species such as the jaguar, the white turtle, and reef ecosystems.
“We carried out this intervention to warn that this environmental tragedy can still be avoided, and that is why we are calling on Mexico to take a hard look at this decision. The question facing the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) today is simple: Will it protect the Mayan Jungle or will it authorize a water park on top of a fragile ecosystem?” said Carlos Samayoa, coordinator of the “Mexico Crying for Jungle!” campaign for Greenpeace Mexico.
He insisted that this is not just about a park, but about opening up the southern part of the state to the same development model that has caused irreversible damage in other areas of the Yucatán Peninsula, exploited under the mass tourism model.
Source: jornada
