In a bold and symbolic action, nine activists from a renowned Mexican NGO climbed the 70 meters of the Estela de Luz monument in Mexico City to unfurl a 27-meter banner with the message: ” The Mayan Jungle cries out. Semarnat, Save it!“.
The intervention, carried out in the early hours of Tuesday, aims to halt the systematic destruction of the Mayan Jungle, located in the southeast of the country.
An ecosystem threatened by multiple industries
More than 300,000 hectares lost in five years due to extractive and touristic projects.
The organization denounced that, with the permission and consent of federal authorities, sectors such as real estate, hotel, railway, oil, and agro-industrial have devastated nearly 300,000 hectares of jungle, an area equivalent to 16 times the extension of Mexico City. Among the most serious cases are:
- 10,000 hectares razed for stone material extraction by CEMEX
- Establishment of mega pig farms that threaten the largest aquifer in the country located beneath the jungle
The Mayan Jungle is essential for mitigating climate change, conserving endangered species, and ensuring access to water in the region.
The Mayan Jungle as a green lung and biological heritage
The ecosystem hosts key biodiversity and regulates regional water balance.
The Mayan Jungle is considered the green lung of Mexico, with vital functions for climate regulation, species conservation, and protection of underground aquifers. Its destruction not only implies biodiversity loss but also risks to environmental health, access to water, and territorial sovereignty.
Criticism of Semarnat and demand for a comprehensive plan
The NGO accuses the Ministry of Environment of endorsing the devastation.
The campaign coordinator, Carlos Samayoa, demanded that public resources are not being allocated to environmental preservation, and accused Semarnat of becoming an ” environmental endorsement of devastation“. The organization demands:
- A comprehensive protection plan for the Mayan Jungle
- Involvement of communities, experts, and civil organizations
- Suspension of projects that compromise the ecosystem
Territorial activism and defense of the common good
The action seeks to raise awareness and pressure for responsible public policies.
The climb to the capital monument was a way to highlight the environmental urgency and directly challenge the Mexican State.
The message is clear: the Mayan Jungle cannot continue to be sacrificed for dubious economic interests. The protest also aims to mobilize citizens, generate social pressure, and defend the right to a healthy environment.
