Save the Riviera Maya

Frequently Asked Questions

From the Presentation at the Foro de Estatal de Cenotes, Chetumal, MX,  on March 19, 2009

By Luis Leal

All the rivers in the north coast of Quintana Roo are underground.

But that is something you all already know.

You also know that the Mayan Riviera contains the largest drinking water reserve in this thirsty country. Water that passes through to the second world largest coral reef system: the Mesoamerican Reef System.

But that is something that you also know. Here today there are several experts in fresh water.

You may also know that less than 3% of the water of the planet is fresh water, of which drinking water is just a small portion. You also know that this scarce drinking water has a potential of becoming a matter of national security in many parts of the world.

But I am not here to tell you things you already know. Many of the people that have spoken here and will speak after me will give you much information related to this subject. Information that is both technical and non-technical.

I am not here to do that either.

I represent a group of people that are very concerned because of the shadow of destruction that has started to cover the underground river systems of the Mayan Riviera. And I have come here to give you some numbers and data that I hope will call your attention.

Numbers then…

• Underground fluvial systems explored and currently in the exploration process in the area known as the Mayan Riviera: approximately 180.
• Total length in kilometers of the guide lines placed by the explorers in the underground fluvial systems of the Mayan Riviera: more than 800.
• Kilometers of underground fluvial systems of the Mayan Riviera represented in the official maps of the geographic institute of the federal government (INEGI): 0.
• Listed and documented cenotes located in the same area (not by INEGI, of course): more than 700.
• Kilometers of the worlds’ largest underground fluvial system called Ox Bel Ha located in Tulum area: more than 180.
• Estimated percentage of the underground flooded areas in the Mayan Riviera that have been explored: 15%.
• Meters of height of the world’s largest stalactite located in Chac Mol underground river system: 14 meters.
• Major skeletons and fossils considered prehistoric that have been found in the underground river system of the Mayan Riviera: at least 20.
• Age of the oldest human remains of Mesoamerica found, of course, in an underground river in the Mayan Riviera: between 10,000 and 12,000 years old.
• Species of fauna located in the underground fluvial system of Mayan Riviera: 41.
• Species of endemic animals located in the underground fluvial system of Mayan Riviera: 8.

We also have another kind of numbers:

• Karstic roofs illegally collapsed for aesthetic purposes to satisfy extravagant architectural design in the Mayan Riviera: 5 at least.
• Numbers of persons prosecuted for this: 0.
• Current projects that require approval of the authorities and involve the collapse of karstic roofs: 3 at least.
• Golf courses built and in the process of completion in the Quintana Roo: 17.
• Final number of golf courses planned or projected for Quintana Roo before the year 2018: 35.
• Kilos of chemical products needed for one year to keep a golf course functional in this tropical region: 3,000 – 5,000 (3-5 tons).
• Cubic meters of fresh water needed per day to water a golf course of average size: 3000.
• Estimated number of persons that will be severely impacted by the shortage of drinking water in the next 50 years according to the United Nations: 3,000,000,000.

We talk of many numbers that can have a certain impact but there are a few more that may also be interesting…

• Number of places designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites: 908.
• Number of places designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites that involve caves: 10.
• Number of places designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites that involve flooded caves: 0

So then, what is needed to make a location be recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site?

To start, a site must meet only one of UNESCO’s criteria. There are 10, and without being too optimistic, our underground river system qualifies in no less than 4 separate areas:

First:  To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance;

Second:  To be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth’s history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features;

Third:  To be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals;

Fourth:   To contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.

It is obvious that the worst blind person is one who will not see. We have seen, and we see every day. We want you to open your eyes as well to the facts:

• The underground river systems of the Mayan Riviera are indisputably unique and very important.
• The underground river systems of the Mayan Riviera are dangerously threatened by pollution, collapses and irresponsible development. The destruction has started and it is evident in many places.
• The Mexican laws have been insufficient and the authorities of the three levels of government have been ineffective in the application of those laws. It is not a question of political parties. The inefficiency in conservation issues has been a constant among all of them. There is pollution. There is destruction.
• People from all around the world visit and get excited with the beauty of the cenotes. They see them clean and healthy. Most of the cenotes still are. We are still in time to change the destructive tendencies.
• The importance of the underground river systems of the Mayan Riviera, their characteristics, their beauty, and the natural and historic treasures that we find in them make them surpass Mexican national responsibility. They deserve the consideration of human-kind heritage sites.

The responsibility of the Mexican government is clear and the solutions are clear as well. The underground rivers of the Mayan Riviera must be recognized and protected internationally; the national level of responsibility must be surpassed to make it international. By all means we must avoid the underground river system of the Mayan Riviera becoming even more vulnerable to greed, economic interests, political changes, power capriciousness, human errors and social movements. They must prevail as a heritage of all the humankind with the most strict and efficient protection possible. Beyond any frontier or nationalism.

What we need is clear and concrete: international protection of the cenotes and underground river system of the Mayan Riviera, through its inclusion in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

It sounds simple but it is not. The process is long, complex and difficult. We depend on a political will that is mis-informed and that appears to be very far from the interests of conservation. UNESCO requires that the country in which the places are located have legal protection. Afterwards, the government of that country, with representation of civil society makes the official request. Then the studies and considerations for approval will come.

People and associations concerned about the environment have already requested the Mexican federal government give legal protection to the underground river system of Mayan Riviera by its inclusion in the Mexican national protected area system. The Mexican federal government has given at least one answer to this request, agreeing to its importance but stating its lack of budgetary means for 2009. So then, what is the budget allocation for these necessary protection measures for 2010?

One thing we know: We need more voices. We need voices from outside of Mexico. We need to be heard. Federal protection for the underground river system and cenotes of the Mayan Riviera must happen soon. Time is running out.