Toshio Yokoyama Cobá, director of Natural Resources Management and Conservation of the Secretariat of Sustainable Development (SDS) in Yucatán, indicated that in the first half of this year, they cleaned 18 cenotes, from which they extracted 25 tons of garbage.
According to the SDS, in Yucatán, there are 3,021 registered cenotes, of which 70% have different contamination levels due to bacteria from latrines, pig farming activities, or septic tanks.
Yokoyama Cobá specified these cenotes are in Valladolid, Tizimín, Mérida, Homún, and Cuzamá, and they carried out the cleaning from January to June 2024.
![](https://www.theyucatantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/diving-for-garbage.jpeg)
We have accelerated the pace of cenote cleanup due to the change in government. The commitment was 24 cleanups. We are complying with it, Yokoyama stated.
He added that the garbage is mainly plastics and glass containers thrown by irresponsible people near the cenotes. He indicated that environmental education is crucial, especially among children.
TYT Newsroom