Threat of Christmas Road Block Saves Manialtepec Mangroves

THE BLOQUEO (ROAD BLOCK) ON HIGHWAY 200 IN LAS Negras, which includes part of the Laguna de Manialtepec, was scheduled for December 22. A very frightening prospect for just about everyone. This is the highway that connects Puerto Escondido to Acapulco and sees maximum tourist traffic.

There was no bloqueo. The community of Las Negras demands were met by the Federal Environmental Agency (Semanart) and the Federal Enforcement Agency for the Protection of the Environment (Profepa) within hours of the announced action on December 20. What had been at stake was the integrity of the lagoon, specifically the illegal destruction of the mangroves for a road and dock to accommodate more tourist boats.

Even 10 years ago, the lagoon’s chief tourist attraction was bird watching and kayaking. Now it is sunset cruises to experience the bioluminescence and to swim in its aura. It’s big business for the licensed boat owners, tour guides, and the palapa restaurants.

It must also have seemed a great opportunity for the tour operator from Puerto Suelo, Tututepec, who initiated the project with the support of the Ranchería el Gallo. Although the mangroves are in the Federal Zone, he brought in heavy machinery to make a 200-meter long, 5-meter wide road cutting through the protected forest to build a pier for tourist boats.

The project has been permanently closed by Semarnat and Profepa, and three workers were arrested and charged with ecocide. Meanwhile, Las Negras continues its legal battle with the tour operator, demanding that the material dumped into the lagoon be removed. He was also declared persona non grata in Las Negras and will not be permitted to offer his services there because of his assault on the environment.

Sadly, but not surprisingly, the delegado of Las Negras, Guadalupe Callejas Silva, has received death threats for his leadership role in protecting the lagoon. He has reported these threats to the authorities.

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