Cozumel, Q.R. — Environmental authorities closed access to Kúutsmil Park in the southern part of the island of Cozumel. The park was shut over the weekend after personnel determined that heavy machinery was responsible for damaging lagoons and mangroves.

Due to the severe impact on protected ecosystems, the Environmental Protection Agency (PPA) shut down construction of the access road to Kúutsmil Park in Cozumel. The intervention by environmental authorities came after citizen reports on social media showing the machinery damaging the nearby mangroves.

According to official information, the closure was carried out by Procuraduría de Protección al Ambiente (PPA) after personnel found that the machinery used to open an access road to the park illegally filled mangroves and part of a lagoon.

The initial report was made public on June 24 when civil associations raised the alarm about work that allegedly violated environmental regulations. On June 26 , the Secretary of Ecology and Environment (SEMA), Óscar Rebora Aguilera and the State Environmental Prosecutor, Alonso Fernández, visited the area to confirm damage.

Authorities verified that while the company in charge of the project has permits for the rehabilitation of the park, they were not permitted to fill mangroves or lagoons and were found in violation of their permits.

Inspectors have not revealed the name of the company doing the work nor have they speculated on possible fines.