Court order halts deforestation and new Tren Maya construction
Last week a judge in Yucatán issued a ruling which halted any new construction of the Tren Maya project.
The ruling only barrs construction requiring further deforestation in the municipalities of Mérida, Chocholá and Izamal. Elsewhere, such as across state lines in Quintana Roo, large crews and heavy machinery continue to work without hindrance.
The decision came after a legal challenge was brought to the courts by indigenous groups.
Legal complaints allege the project would cause unacceptable levels of environmental damage.
Earlier: Tren Maya will use solar power under new green-energy approach
Mexico’s tourism authority has said that the suspension of the Tren Maya is bound to hurt the economy.
Federal authorities report that the Tren Maya rail project has already created 36,859 construction jobs.
According to a poll conducted by Mexico’s fund for tourism development, over 80% of those surveyed say they approve of the Tren Maya passing through Mérida.
Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican expedition/Canadian photographer, adventure leader, and PhD candidate. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds multimedia, philosophy, and translation degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada and Norway.
