The most affected sites were the Manatí Lagoon and the Chacmochuch Lagoon System
Pollution by solid waste in the Protected Natural Areas (ANP) in 2023 was much higher than in 2022 because people took advantage of the lack of surveillance to throw away trash in natural protected areas.
According to information from the Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Natural Areas of Quintana Roo (Ibanqroo), 6.47 tons of waste were removed in Manatí Lagoon last year, but 1,733 tons were collected in the Chacmo Chuch Lagoon System.
These figures include urban garbage such as plastic bottles, Pet, cardboard, Styrofoam, non-recyclables, and organic remains, as well as special handling waste, which is junk, debris, tires, gravel, glass, and more.
Of the total, 30% corresponds to urban solid waste, and 70% to special management waste. In addition, exotic flora was also removed from its main water channel in Manatí Lagoon, considered organic matter.
In 2023, 7.62 tons of wet weight will be removed, while in 2022 there were four. Ibanqroo also reported that last June the largest amount of waste in 12 months was removed from reserves.
72% of the solid waste and 73% of the organic matter were extracted from the Manatí Lagoon, while the same was done in Chac Mochuch, with 99% of the materials.
Activities per week In June, the Environmental Sanitation program of the Chacmochuch Lagunar System 2023 was activated, with which up to three activities per week were programmed, in coordination with municipal, state, and federal authorities, civil associations, and volunteers.
Likewise, an environmental subcouncil was reinstated to address the problems in the state ANPs in Benito Juárez and Isla Mujeres.
Jesús Cahum Mex, honorary member of the Río Chacmochuch Community Guardians Committee, commented that the pollution in these areas is due to the lack of security, where citizens and companies take the opportunity to dump dump trucks with waste.
To face this problem, Ibanqroo and civil organizations will continue with activities every month of 2024, although Javier Carballar Osorio, director of Ibanqroo, has said that the lack of surveillance in the state ANP is one of the pending issues to be corrected in this administration.
TYT Newsroom
