Yucatán proposes adding Puuc Reserve to Gran Selva Maya Corridor

The Government of Yucatán has formally proposed the incorporation of the Puuc State Biocultural Reserve into the Gran Selva Maya Biocultural Corridor. This initiative, coordinated with Mexico’s Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), aims to strengthen the protection of over 135,000 hectares of strategic land.

The expansion is intended to enhance ecological and biocultural connectivity toward the north, linking the ecosystems of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. The reserve is critical for water recharge, biodiversity, and the preservation of Maya cultural heritage. The move is expected to benefit approximately 137,125 residents in the municipalities of Muna, Santa Elena, Ticul, Oxkutzcab, and Tekax.

Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena emphasized that the Gran Selva Maya transcends borders, uniting the region through shared water resources, biodiversity, and indigenous peoples. The Puuc Biocultural Reserve, originally established by decree in 2011, serves as a convergence point for megadiversity, ancestral traditions, and sustainable production systems.