Visitors denounce pollution in Yucatan cenotes

The owners used to throw their trash and wastes in the caves that are now open to the public….

MERIDA – In this summer season the travelers visiting central Yucatan have reported that in several cenotes, open to tourism, they have found high levels of garbage inside and a careless attitude from the cenotes’ managers.

This situation comes from an old habit of nearby residents that used to throw their wastes and trash in the cavesregard for what was inside.

Identified as managers of the polluted cenotes were Gabriel Cabrera Pech, Pedro Cabrera Carvajal y José Clemente May Echeverría.

The names of the polluted cenotes and their respective owners are: Santa Rosa, Gabriel Cabrera; San Antonio, Pedro Cabrera; and Santa Cruz, José Clemente May. They are known in the region for disregarding official regulations pertaining to management of a cenote and a touristic place.

The alleged “owners” of the cenotes are accused of land invasion, lack of permissions to operate an eco-touristic place, bad management of wastes disposal and total lack of security and first aid equipment for the workers and the visitors.

This is considered as a major infraction in Yucatan because it involves the natural water supply of the whole region, which is really important for the people and the authorities. The management of cenotes has a very strict regulation by the state government, and the state will have a permanent supervision on what happens with these cases.

Source: sipse.com/milenio/