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Holbox Island Saved
Dear Friends,
ELAW partner Alejandra Serrano sent thrilling news this weekend!
The proposed “Ensenada” development, which threatened the stunning landscape and rich fisheries of Quintana Roo’s Holbox Island, has been shelved.
Alejandra and her colleagues at the Mexican Center for Environmental Law have worked since 2012 to protect islanders from this out-sized tourism scheme.
Alejandra writes:
“The development would have devastated the Yum Balam Protected Area and local fisheries. The Environmental Impact Assessment was deficient and the company withdrew. Many thanks to the ELAW team for your technical support, friendship, and support to carry on.”
Community members were right to be concerned. The developer’s plans included hotels, villas, condominiums, offices, a shopping plaza, roads, and a helicopter pad, all located in the Protected Area. The community of under 2,000 would have been dwarfed by new housing for thousands of visitors. The developers also proposed cutting channels through pristine mangroves to increase waterfront acreage.
Thank you for your interest!
Sincerely,
Maggie Keenan
Communications Director & Fellows Program Coordinator
Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide