A mangrove is a biome, that is, an ecosystem in which many plant and animal species live, and which has its own natural characteristics. They are found in subtropical areas close to the sea, and are made up of trees that are highly resistant to salt.
They have a great biological diversity, made up of birds, fish, crustaceans, mollusks and sometimes reptiles. In the Tajamar mangrove, in Cancun, lived a large number of crocodiles, iguanas, birds and snakes.
However, very recently this mangrove was practically destroyed. Their situation is irreversible, but Mexican and international activists, with a lot of work, have managed to stop the hotel project that caused their destruction.
The authorities of the Government of the town of Quintana Roo destroyed 57 hectares of mangroves to make way for a tourism project promoted by the company Fonatur, regardless of the destination of the unique flora and fauna of the place.
This mangrove had managed to survive thanks to the actions of the “Save Manglar Tajamar” movement and even a group of children, who organized to defend it from the greed of businessmen and authorities who sought to create the “Malecón Tajamar” tourist complex. However, the businessmen won the battle, starting the destruction to destroy the mangrove swamp and build the boardwalk.
Mangroves provide humans with a large number of benefits, also called ecosystem services, and are home to a large number of species. The one in Tajamar, in addition, was a natural barrier against floods, and a wall against hurricanes. It also prevented the erosion of coastal areas, acted as a natural filter maintaining water quality, and was a refuge for a large number of flora and fauna.
Both organizations such as Greenpeace, as well as citizens who demonstrated on their own, especially on social networks, condemned the destruction of the mangrove and tried to persuade federal and state authorities to stop these works that threaten the ecosystem. But they failed to save the 52 green hectares that made it up.
Today the space where the mangrove was located looks devastated, and activists use the word “ecocide” and the hashtag “mourning for #Tajamar” to refer to this murder of the fauna and flora of the place.
However, among so much sadness there is good news that gives a light of hope for the future.
Thanks to the struggle of activists who collected signatures and filled social networks with their claims, a suspension of the construction of the hotel was achieved, which according to Greenpeace Mexico is definitive.
However, it now remains to wait for the trial corresponding to the case to take place. Only then will the future of the project be decided, but unfortunately the mangrove has already been largely destroyed.
The legal action sets a precedent to prevent cases similar to Tajamar from being repeated throughout Mexico, and it is also an incentive for activists around the world to know that it is possible to get the authorities to listen to their claims.
It has not been possible to save the Tajamar mangrove, but we still have time to publicize this situation and fight early so that it does not happen again.
Let’s spread this cause and fight together for a world full of life!
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