Mangrove Environmental Protection Group

The group was started between 1993 and 1994 when it became known that a group of investors had plans for a Mega-tourism project in the area around San Blas, Nayarit. Since there was little information about their plans, we questioned the authorities to find out what was going on and maintained that the public had the right to know about these projects. We also initiated a series of actions, such as displays in the plaza, meetings and surveys. We felt that the natural resources should benefit the local community, and that they should have a say in making plans for the future of San Blas. We tried to put a stop to the sale of family lands to the large investors. As a result of all these actions, we gained the support of many of the townspeople for our proposals and ideas.

On the other hand, some of the authorities reacted negatively to the group, due to the fact that they had already completed negotiations and in some instances had authorized projects that were politically convenient for themselves but did not meet the requirements of the law. This was the case with Granjas Aquanova S.A. de C.V. who began a shrimp farming business after aquiring 938 hectors of ejido land adjoining the Federal Zone. This land was bought very cheaply and they had the consession from the government to buy another 1992 hectors later on. The land was located in or near the mangrove wetlands and much water was diverted from the estuaries to provide water for the shrimp farms. A group of fishermen and ejido dwellers became upset that their navigational routes were cut off and issued a series of accusations against the shrimp farmers. The Mangrove Environmental Group joined them in their effort. The situation got worse when contamination was detected in several bodies of water. This started a big protest and we initiated legal measures against the local and state governments, who of course denied all responsibility. We then took our argument to the Federal government who said it was a political matter. We asked that some government officials come to the area to confirm our accusations that the laws had been compromised, and to determine who was responsible. However, as time passed, nothing happened. Next we went before the CCAA, a watchdog agency to monitor the enforcement of the international environmental agreements defined by the TLC. After a long investigation, the CCAA ruled in our favor, concluding that the government of Mexico had not enforced the environmental laws. The government was required to make an report of these violations, which is now in its final stages.

During this process, Aquanova has changed its attitude and has started to act more responsibly. First, they signed an agreement in which they promised to stop the problems in general. Then they reopened all the navigational paths which had been closed. They also tried to address the problem of contamination from their waste waters by building a canal, but as of today it is not functioning properly and they are still discharging their untreated waste waters directly into the ocean. They have started a program of reforestation in the mangrove wetlands and the jungle in the surrounding area. Their growth rate is limited to a maximum of 1000 hectors instead of the 1300 originally planned. Furthermore they returned to the federation 850 hectors of federal zone land. Most important, Aquanova has changed its attitude towards the local population, resulting in a great improvement in our relations with them. for the San Blas municipal government, they are now using some of the money generated from taxes of the federal zones to fund community based environmental projects.

The government of the state of Nayarit is also keeping an open mind and is accepting the proposals of different groups interested in the future for the Marismas Nationales wetlands. Likewise, the federal government has taken a more open attitude, but still does not recognize that the past administration authorized projects that were not in full compliance of the law.

For our own part, we have just finished a diagnostic study where we held sessions in 13 villages in the mangrove wetlands vicinity.; These sessions were to survey the wants and needs of the people concerning their natural resources and to promote environmental awareness. As for the Megaprojects, at one time they had plans for 5 star hotels, a golf course, a new marina, condos and houses, covering an area of 5000 hectors.; The current proposals involve the participation of the locals who own ramada restaurants along the beach and guarantees the possession of the beachfront property to the local population to use and enjoy. At this time the government has not granted any permits to build large hotels on the beaches of San Blas.