Worldwide there are more than 200,000 Protected Areas (PAs) and the number is still growing, particularly in biodiversity rich countries such as Mexico. In Mexico, there are 1,192 PAs, 27 of which are in the state of Quintana... [ view full abstract ]
Worldwide there are more than 200,000 Protected Areas (PAs) and the number is still growing, particularly in biodiversity rich countries such as Mexico. In Mexico, there are 1,192 PAs, 27 of which are in the state of Quintana Roo. The state of Quintana Roo is a worldwide famous tourism destination; its natural and cultural amenities attract more than 10,000,000 tourists a year. The massive tourism industry and the rich biodiversity in the state promotes the creation of PAs to protect the environment from the negative impacts of the tourism industry and to preserve the local environment. One of the most important PAs in Quintana Roo is the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. When Sian Ka’an was created in 1984 there was a population of 50 people living there, and most of them were located in the town of Punta Allen. Currently Punta Allen has a population of 469 people.
This paper is a case study analyzing the social impacts of conservation policies on people living inside the protected area of Punta Allen. Punta Allen is a small town located 25 miles inside the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Tourism, fly-fishing, and lobster fishing are the only economic activities in the town, but tourism is the most important. Besides the inhabitants, 100,000 tourists visit Punta Allen every year attracted by the natural amenities of the area. However, the community does not have facilities such as electricity, public transportation, phone service, or good roads. The lack of services and proper roads is a major complaint of the local people. The inhabitants have been demanding the construction of a new road and the establishment of electricity and other services to the state and federal government for years. According to Punta Allen’s inhabitants, the government claims that it cannot introduce these services to the community because of the community’s location inside a protected area and current policies in place do not allow it. However, these facilities are necessary for their wellbeing. Analysis of semi-structured interviews of Punta Allen inhabitants and a document review of the Sian Ka’an protected area policies indicate that the local people recognize the importance of preserving the environment; they feel proud of living in a beautiful, pristine area that attracts thousands of tourists creating jobs for them. Environmental conservation is important to them, but so is development. Their increased demands for good facilities have created conflicts and resentment in relations with the government. This case study shares an opportunity to revise conservation policies from the bottom-up to include the needs of the local people alongside conservation goals.
