At least 12 luxury mega-resorts have expressed their intention to establish themselves in the coastal communities of Cabo del Este, a tourist area stretching 118 kilometers from La Paz to San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, bordering the Gulf of California, to attract high-net-worth tourists.
This area is attractive to real estate developers due to its idyllic landscapes of turquoise waters, which contrast with the arid desert, beginning in the town of Buenavista, located on the border of La Paz and Los Cabos, and ending at the eastern end, in San José del Cabo.
This coastline borders Cabo Pulmo National Park, home to the largest coral reef in the Gulf of California and home to 800 species of marine life. It has been designated a Ramsar Convention World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
This area is also home to migratory species, such as the whale shark, the humpback whale, and the giant manta ray. Their conservation has been key to the development of ecotourism, an economic source that generates more than 50 billion pesos annually.
Twenty-five years ago, this area was threatened by overfishing and irresponsible tourism until local communities organized to protect it. In 1995, Cabo Pulmo was declared a Natural Protected Area (ANP), under the category of National Marine Park. Five years later, it was designated a National Park.
“Since then, fish populations have increased by more than 400 percent, and various migratory species, such as whale sharks, giant manta rays, humpback whales, sea turtles, and sharks, have returned to the area,” according to Greenpeace Mexico.
Ornella Garelli, a campaigner for Oceans Without Plastics at Greenpeace Mexico, warns that the expansion of real estate projects threatens to destabilize the environmental balance.
Having projects so close to this area would have extremely significant implications for the region’s terrestrial and marine ecosystems, as well as for the well-being and livelihoods of local communities.
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Cabo Pulmo has managed to thrive with a balanced ecotourism program, which could spiral out of control.
La Abundancia, a risk of water stress for communities
Located in the community of La Ribera, the La Abundancia project is promoted by the company Gre El Rincón, which aims to transform 68 hectares into a large-scale tourism development.
The mega-construction project contemplated the construction of a hotel spanning five hectares, tourist residences on an additional 25 hectares, worker housing on 1.5 hectares, a beach club, and commercial and service areas, all aimed at attracting high-end tourists and generating a significant economic impact in the region.
The Mexican Center for Environmental Law (CEMDA) warns that, although the project was ultimately revoked, the project’s location in an area of water stress and its negative impact on local ecosystems were key aspects of concern.
This development proposed using water from the already overexploited Cabo Pulmo aquifer to supply the development, in addition to building a desalination plant to meet its water demand.
The project also proposed altering natural habitats for the construction of roads, buildings, and recreational areas, which would have resulted in the removal of native vegetation, affecting protected species such as the sea turtle and various sea turtles.
They would have impacts, for example, in terms of damage to biodiversity. Also, the exploitation of water resources, when we know that this is an area that already suffers from water scarcity, would harm the local population. Huge amounts of urban solid waste would be generated, which also entails complexities regarding its management in the area.
Glamping Eco Hotel, an attack on the ecological balance
It will be located in the rustic coastal community of Dos Ballenas, in the area known as Cabo del Este, where 21 cabins, two bathroom modules, a parking lot, a beach club, and a pool will be built on a one-hectare area.
Glamping Eco Hotel, an Attack on Ecological Balance
It will be located in the rustic coastal community of Dos Ballenas, in the area known as Cabo del Este. 21 cabins, two bathroom modules, a parking lot, a beach club, and a pool will be built on a one-hectare site.
This massive construction could affect various protected flora species that are essential to the area’s ecological balance, such as the red mangrove, a species listed as endangered; the cardón (a species that is key to soil retention and a refuge for wildlife); and the pitahaya agria (a species that is vital to wildlife due to its fruits).
Meanwhile, it is also expected to negatively impact the wildlife that inhabits the area, such as the coyote, due to human presence and noise; the gray fox, due to the reduction of vegetation cover; the osprey, as its habits could be modified by coastal activity; the Baja California chameleon, at risk due to soil movement and compaction; and the olive ridley sea turtle, as artificial lighting could disorient hatchlings.
Regarding water consumption, it is estimated that 12 cubic meters of water will be needed daily, which will be extracted from a nearby well. This could have a potential impact on groundwater availability, especially during the dry season.
Meanwhile, waste is estimated to generate approximately 18 kilograms of solid waste daily, including plastics, cardboard, glass, and organic matter. In addition, the production of 10 cubic meters of wastewater is projected, which will be treated using biodigesters.
One of the most significant negative impacts is deforestation and soil alteration, as 3,187 square meters of native vegetation will be eliminated. This could lead to erosion due to the reduction in vegetation cover.
Casa Rancho Leonero, a risk to flora and fauna
South of the town of Buenavista, Casa Rancho Leonero is planned for construction. This one-hectare residential development will be built on the Gulf of California.
This project, developed by the BBVA México Financial Group, will have an investment of one million pesos.
The area affected by the construction includes 82 percent sarcocaule scrub, as well as a small portion of forest vegetation. The area is located in a key area for groundwater recharge; any change in its use could affect water availability in the region.
Among the affected flora species, 40 were identified, listed in the special protection category according to NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, such as ironwood, wild cotton, and garambullo.
Regarding wildlife, 13 vertebrate species have been recorded, one of which is listed as endangered, such as the lizard. Other identified species include mammals, such as the hare and the lizard, as well as reptiles such as the white-faced cachoron and the huico.
Habitat fragmentation has displaced larger species, underscoring the need to implement effective wildlife protection programs.
Furthermore, the noise produced by the backhoe and trucks is estimated to reach a level of 92 decibels, representing an acoustic impact on the area during construction work.
According to the project’s EIA, the complexity of the impacts suggests that they must be closely monitored to ensure that the ecological balance of the area is not irreparably altered.
La Ribera Residential Complex, a risk to the ecosystem
This project is named after the area in which it is intended to be located: La Ribera. This proposal, developed by the company Plr Playa, has raised concerns among activists and residents of the region due to its environmental impact.
On social media, users have shared videos documenting the damage to the dunes and La Boca estuary caused by the use of heavy machinery used in construction.
The development includes the construction of 52 residences and 32 condominiums on La Colorada beach, with a focus on tourist housing. According to the MIA, the project will include single-family homes, roads, common areas with amenities, parking, conservation areas, and water bodies, on a surface area of 10 hectares.
One of the critical issues for the development is the lack of municipal permits. The developer, Plr Playa, does not yet have the necessary authorizations to carry out the project; however, construction has already begun.
In the area, a permit issued by the City of Cabo San Lucas permitting “earth movement” has been identified. The lack of regulation is also related to the delay in updating the Local Ecological Planning Program (POEL) in Los Cabos, which has been in effect since 1995.
One of the most affected ecosystems are the coastal dunes, a natural system that performs fundamental ecological functions. These mounds of sand act as natural barriers against winds, storms, and hurricanes, prevent coastal erosion, and contribute to aquifer recharge. They are also a vital habitat for various species, such as sea turtles, migratory birds, reptiles, and insects.
The estuaries, for their part, have high ecological and cultural value. They are a refuge for wildlife, including endemic specimens such as the Peninsular Masked Warbler, a bird species unique to Baja California Sur.
Currently, two estuaries remain in La Ribera: La Trinidad and Eureka. The latter has already been altered by the Costa Palma tourist development, which has modified its course. According to environmental activists, this intervention could cause its drying, increase coastline erosion, and affect the recharge of aquifers.
The advancement of projects such as Residencial La Ribera has sparked a debate about the development model in the region, which pits tourism expansion against the conservation of coastal ecosystems.
La Ribera Condo Hotel, a Risk to Local Biodiversity
Just 350 meters from the Gulf of California coastline, in the La Ribera community, this mega-tourist complex promoted by the Cabo 2200 company will span an area of one hectare.
The construction of this complex of six three-bedroom apartments; 30 two-bedroom apartments; 39 one-bedroom studios; an administrative office; and 11 complementary use areas, such as a cistern, a plant, parking lots, and a reserve area. The company will invest 20 million pesos.
Meanwhile, 5,000 square meters will be used for infrastructure such as parking lots, a wastewater treatment plant, and a 150,000-liter cistern; while the remainder will be used for residential, administrative, and nature reserve areas. This project will consume significant water.
Regarding the modification of the natural habitat, the project contemplates clearing half a hectare to construct buildings and services, which entails the removal of native vegetation and possible habitat fragmentation.
Although the rescue of wild flora and fauna and the use of native species for landscaping are proposed, it is recognized that human activity can displace local species.
The construction of buildings, roads, and other infrastructure will also generate light pollution, noise, and dust emissions, altering the behavioral patterns of the wildlife present, which may affect local biodiversity in the medium and long term.
East Cape Gre El Rincón, without authorization from Semarnat (National Semarnat of the Ministry of Natural Resources)
Located in the La Ribera district, the luxury tourist complex will cover 67 hectares in a portion of the La Abundancia property.
Its objective is to develop a complex that integrates hotel, residential, and commercial infrastructure, with the intention of attracting visitors interested in exploring the Sea of Cortez and its unique ecosystem.
The plan includes the construction of hotels, residences, shops, a beach club, green and conservation areas, roads, duplexes, triplexes, and villas, a desalination plant, wastewater treatment plants, the introduction of basic services, hydrological protection and control works, water supply, drainage, treatment, and irrigation systems, a power supply system, solid waste management, transportation, and disposal, and a workers’ camp and construction yard.
In its first phase, the development includes the creation of 320 hotel keys. During the initial operational phase, the water supply will be provided by pipeline; later, when the lots are marketed and occupied, they will be connected to the municipal supply network.
Currently, Semarnat (Secretary of State for the Environment) has denied authorization based on environmental impact, which prevents its development under the proposed conditions.
Estera East Cape, High Negative Impacts on the Ecosystem
Located in the northeast of the municipality of Los Cabos, the Estera East Cape project seeks to consolidate a high-end tourist and residential complex on a 60-hectare area in a region near the Sierra de la Laguna and just 40 kilometers from Cabo Pulmo National Park.
The plan includes the construction of 165 housing units, including houses, villas, and condominiums, and an 80-room hotel, in addition to amenity areas, green spaces, and a road system, with the intention of attracting visitors and high-net-worth residents.
Cabo Pulmo is a global example of resilience, but today it is in latent danger.
The development, promoted by an unnamed individual, includes the installation of a desalination plant, two wastewater treatment plants, and a bridge over La Pintada Creek.
The area has vegetation classified as sarcocaule scrub, characteristic of arid ecosystems and home to numerous endemic species.
One of the most controversial aspects is the change in land use on forest lands, as it is planned to affect more than 33.8 hectares of native vegetation, although the project argues that approximately 29.3 hectares will be conserved as green areas with local flora.
The environmental impacts identified in the MIA include: loss of vegetation and landscape alteration, with direct effects on wildlife habitats; land use modification, transforming from natural areas into a luxurious urbanized environment; risks of air, water, and soil pollution resulting from machinery emissions, improper waste management, and fuel use; impact on protected wildlife, including reptile and bird species listed in NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, such as some belonging to the Phrynosomatidae family; Groundwater extraction through brackish and freshwater wells could reduce water availability in a region already facing water shortages.
For its operation, the complex will require a daily water supply that will not be provided by the municipal network, so a desalination plant will be installed to treat brackish water and mix it with fresh water.
The environmental document recognizes that 97 percent of the identified impacts are negative, classifying them as “insignificant” or “perceptible” if the proposed mitigation measures are implemented, including: relocation of flora and fauna; monitoring and control of noise, dust, and hazardous waste; implementation of infiltration ditches, soil retention barriers, and enclosures on coastal dunes; and a plan to prevent harm to sea turtles from artificial lighting.
Source: posta
