Semarnat halts Nayarit luxury beach development over environmental violations

Mexico’s Environment Ministry has halted a luxury beach development in the Pacific coast state of Nayarit, marking the nation’s second major tourism project scrapped in recent months. The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) said Monday it revoked a federal concession for the Las Cocinas beach project in Punta Mita after finding unauthorized construction and environmental violations by developer Cantiles de Mita, part of Grupo Dine. Construction had already been underway, but relentless actions by activists and local residents put the project’s environmental concerns into the public spotlight and eventually led to its cancellation. (Angie Tovar/Cuartoscuro) The agency said a review confirmed “non-compliance” with concession terms, including works carried out within the federal maritime-terrestrial zone (Zofemat) without approval. Zofemat is the strip of federal land, usually 20 meters wide, that runs along the nation’s seashore — walkable areas that must remain publicly accessible under Mexican law. Developers can build there only if they obtain a concession from the federal government. In a press release issued this week, Semarnat said it had “decided to rethink the project” with a focus on “environmental impacts” and “the protection of coastal ecosystems and free passage along the beach.” Three months ago, the Interior Ministry (Segob) vowed to guarantee free public access to Las Cocinas, but Semarnat’s new move goes further by revoking the Zofemat concession. The project was to include a 145-room hotel, more than 60 luxury residences and amenities on roughly 20 hectares, with a planned 2027 opening. It was to be part of Montage Hotels & Resorts, which operates Montage Los Cabos and other luxury properties. Environmental concerns centered on Las Cocinas as a nesting site for leatherback, olive ridley and hawksbill turtles.  Protests by residents of Punta de Mita and nearby communities intensified in recent months, including clashes with police and allegations of arbitrary arrests. Punta de Mita is a coastal town in the municipality of Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit. Interior Ministry confirms public access to Las Cocinas, meeting one of the Punta de Mita protesters’ demands The luxury resort area of Punta Mita is part of the region, but the gated compound is legally and commercially run separately. Montage Punta Mita was to be within its boundaries. Semarnat’s decision follows its May rejection of the “Perfect Day Mexico” megaproject on the southern Caribbean coast of Quintana Roo, which it said posed risks to reefs, mangroves and coastal ecosystems. The private cruise-ship playground had been planned by Royal Caribbean near Mahahual, a town of fewer than 3,000 people known for its clear, warm waters and proximity to the Mesoamerican Reef. The cruise-ship giant had touted the project as including more than 30 waterslides, the world’s longest “lazy river,” and roughly 12 eateries and 24 bars — including the Tipsy Sombrero Bar, a standalone cantina topped by the “world’s largest sombrero.” With reports from La Jornada and Infobae The post Semarnat halts Nayarit luxury beach development over environmental violations appeared first on Mexico News Daily