TULUM, México – The rapid construction of a luxury hotel by the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA) in Parque del Jaguar, Tulum, Quintana Roo, has raised significant environmental concerns. Despite the project’s advancement, the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) has yet to disclose this development’s Environmental Impact Statement (MIA) approval. This hotel, the largest of six planned along the Maya Train route, will feature 352 rooms, multiple pools, a spa, a temazcal, and other amenities.
This luxury hotel is strategically connected to both the Maya Train station and the new Tulum International Airport, forming part of a broader initiative championed by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The project is ostensibly aimed at jaguar conservation, but environmentalists and local activists express grave concerns about its impact.
Inquiries for information have been met with silence from Semarnat, which has only released documents concerning another Maya Train hotel in Edzná, Campeche. This lack of transparency obstructs a thorough assessment of the environmental impacts of the new hotel and other developments in the area.
Parque del Jaguar spans a buffer zone of 282 hectares to safeguard the core area of 1,967 hectares. However, the disconnection and distance between these areas pose significant conservation challenges. The development of additional infrastructures such as administrative offices, a visitor center, a hub for electric buses, and commercial spaces contradicts the park’s creation decree, which mandates “low-impact tourism” activities.
The public investment for Parque del Jaguar was initially estimated at 1.6 billion pesos. In February 2024, Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama announced that costs had escalated to over 2 billion pesos. The project now includes integrating Tulum National Park and the archaeological zone, which is connected by a new bridge.
As SEDENA presses on with constructing the luxury hotel, serious doubts linger about the project’s genuine commitment to jaguar conservation and the transparency in evaluating its environmental impacts.
The construction of this hotel is part of a more extensive plan involving six luxury hotels along the Maya Train route, a flagship project of the current administration. The Maya Train is envisioned to boost tourism and economic development in the Yucatán Peninsula. However, environmental groups have consistently raised alarms about the potential damage to delicate ecosystems and the disruption of wildlife habitats.
Local communities and activists argue that the development contradicts the government’s environmental goals. The buffer zone and core area of Parque del Jaguar are supposed to function synergistically to protect the jaguar population. However, the ongoing construction and infrastructure development threaten to fragment these critical habitats, undermining conservation efforts.
Beyond environmental concerns, the rapid development has significant implications for local communities. Indigenous groups and residents have voiced their opposition, arguing that their land and resources are being exploited without adequate consultation or compensation. The influx of tourists, drawn by the new infrastructure, could strain local resources and alter the socio-economic fabric of Tulum.
Fears of environmental degradation and cultural displacement temper the promise of economic benefits through increased tourism. The balance between development and conservation remains precarious, with many stakeholders calling for a more sustainable and inclusive approach.
The need for transparency in approving and implementing such large-scale projects is paramount. Environmental impact assessments are crucial tools for understanding and mitigating the adverse effects of development. The withholding of the MIA for the Parque del Jaguar hotel raises questions about the thoroughness and integrity of the approval process.
Environmentalists and local activists demand a halt to construction until a comprehensive and transparent environmental assessment is made available. They argue that without such measures, the actual cost of these ecological and social developments cannot be fully understood or addressed.
The situation in Tulum reflects broader challenges faced by many regions balancing development and conservation. As Tulum becomes a significant tourist destination, the need for sustainable practices becomes more critical. The outcome of the Parque del Jaguar hotel project could set important precedents for how similar projects are handled in the future.
For now, the eyes of environmentalists, local communities, and the broader public remain fixed on Tulum, awaiting clear answers and responsible actions from both SEDENA and Semarnat.
