The proliferation of irregular real estate developments along the Cenote Route led to the closure of 10 projects in Puerto Morelos during 2026, following the detection of illegal deforestation and construction operating without complying with environmental regulations in one of the most fragile ecological zones of the Mexican Caribbean, authorities stated.
Supervision efforts were reinforced by municipal authorities after identifying projects lacking environmental impact studies and permits for land-use change. According to the Directorate of Environmental Management and Natural Resources, most of the inspected constructions began operations without the required authorizations from the relevant agencies.
A judge issued the search warrant as part of an investigation related to potential crimes against the environment and urban planning.
The head of the agency, Sergio Chalé Gómez, reported that there are currently approximately 30 developments identified along the Cenote Route; however, only eight have approached the municipality to begin the regularization process in accordance with current environmental and urban planning regulations.
Authorities stated that the goal is for developers to submit the necessary documentation to evaluate each project based on applicable legislation, given that urban growth in the area maintains constant pressure on the rainforest and underground hydrological systems.
Environmental monitoring was intensified following the update to the Puerto Morelos Urban Development Program, approved in March of this year, which tightened the guidelines for new construction in areas considered environmentally sensitive.
With the program’s modifications, no development will be able to obtain a construction permit without first having the environmental impact authorization issued by federal and state authorities. Under this system, companies must first obtain environmental permits before applying for municipal building permits.
Among the new restrictions, density limits were also established for the Cenote Route, where only a maximum of four dwellings per hectare will be allowed. The measure seeks to curb uncontrolled urban growth and reduce the impact on the rainforest and aquifers of the region.
Source: poresto
