Mérida Mayor seeks aid to protect Cuxtal water reserve

Mérida Mayor Cecilia Patrón Laviada has identified the protection of the Cuxtal Reserve as a primary challenge for the city. The reserve is a critical resource, providing approximately 40 percent of the water consumed in the capital of Yucatán.

Patrón Laviada reported several ongoing threats to the area, including unauthorized housing constructions, the formation of clandestine landfills, and the unauthorized entry of buggy-style vehicles, which endangers local flora and fauna. To address these issues, the municipal government is seeking support from both state and federal authorities, noting that the scale of the protection required exceeds municipal jurisdiction.

Additionally, the mayor emphasized the need for orderly urban growth. A new Territorial Ordering and Urban Development Program is being implemented to define construction zones more clearly and protect non-urbanizable areas. The administration also plans to modify municipal regulations regarding public works and developments to ensure legal backing for these new urban management measures.