The Office of the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) closed an area of 1.57 hectares in the Municipality of Halachó, Yucatán, due to the change in land use that without the corresponding authorization from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).
The land use change was detected during a surveillance tour conducted by Profepa inspectors on the Chan Chocholá-Chactún road section, in the Municipality of Halachó, Yucatán.
The total removal of natural vegetation corresponds to low forest, with endemic specimens of Tzalam (Lysiloma Bahamensis), Chacá (Bursera simaruba), Dzidzilche (Gymnopodium floribundum), Silil (Diospyros cuneata stand), K’anchunup (Thouinia paucidenata), among others.
Due to the above, and in order to prevent further damage to the environment, the total closure of the site was imposed as a security measure.
Halacho is located 82 kilometers (51 miles) south of Mérida (INEGI)
It should be noted that the change of land use of forest land without having the corresponding authorization is an infraction that is sanctioned with a fine for the equivalent of 100 to 20,000 times the Unit of Measurement and Updating, in terms of article 157, section II of the General Law of Sustainable Forest Development.
On the other hand, the federal criminal legislation establishes, a penalty of 6 months to 9 years in prison for anyone who unlawfully changes the use of forest land.
Profepa will continue with the substantiation of the respective administrative procedures until the issuance of the resolution, which determines the imposition of sanctions that correspond to guarantee the human right to a healthy environment.
TYT Newsroom with information from yucatanalminuto.com
