Tren Maya: A mismatch between sustainable development and cultural heritage

11/06/2024

The Tren Maya project, an ambitious 1554 km-long rail route through southeastern Mexico, has caused quite a stir and disapproval. This mega-project, which is supposed to boost tourism and economic development, is encountering growing concerns about its environmental and cultural impact. It is an example of a project that seems sustainable but is not, for several reasons.

Scope and progress of the project

The Tren Maya project was supposed to be Mexico’s showpiece project. An impressive project that would finally connect the country better and more sustainably. A $20 billion investment will create a rail network with as many as 34 stations connecting five states in a loop through the Yucatán peninsula. This investment should be able to pay for itself, partly thanks to the ever-growing tourism in the region. However, the investment has already grown to 29 billion and the project has been delayed.

In December 2023, trains started running on the first section of the railway, while the rest of the route is still under construction. The original schedule to fully open the project in December 2023 was not met.

The Mexican government expects to transport some 8 million passengers annually and create 150,000 jobs by 2030. The project is part of a larger plan to significantly increase tourism in the region, including the construction of a new airport in Tulum and numerous new resorts, casinos and shops.

Environmental damage raises concerns

Although these plans sound like a good investment in sustainable transport, there are many concerns about the new Maya train. Environmental organisations estimate that the construction of the railway has led to the felling of 10-15 million trees. The loss of biodiversity is alarming. We are already seeing effects on endangered species such as the jaguar. Plans for wildlife crossings to help animals cross the railway safely are not long-term systems that protect habitats, according to environmental organisations.

Cultural sacrifices for a sustainable train network

And besides the visible deforestation, there are also concerns about the populations still living in these forests, and their cultural heritage on the route. Ironically, the Maya train is named after one of those populations, who will have to leave their habitat due to the construction of the railway.

Tren Maya may make the Maya cultural heritage more easily accessible, allowing tourists to learn more about this traditional form of life. But it displaces the people themselves and degrades their habitat. With looming food shortages and polluted drinking water as a result. Is a huge train link worth the sustained investment if authentic culture has to give way for it?

The project has faced considerable opposition:

  • The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights criticised the flawed consultation process.
  • UN experts warned that the national security decree threatens indigenous peoples’ rights.
  • Dozens of indigenous organisations have criticised the mega-project as an example of poor governance and unsustainable development.
  • They have criticised the lack of transparency and adequate planning, especially with regard to environmental and social safeguards.

Economic development can and should be balanced with environmental conservation. But what is development? It might ultimately be up to local communities to decide what it means to them.

Water crisis and growing concerns

One of the biggest environmental issues surrounding the construction of Tren Maya is water pollution. Access to drinking water is already declining significantly in Yucatán in recent years. The construction of Tren Maya requires a huge amount of water, but the demand for drinking water will also increase in the coming years, when tourist resorts will be built around the rail link.

Among other things, Tren Maya runs over some famous cenotes. Which, besides being a popular tourist swimming spot, are also the main source of water in the area. The construction of Tren Maya releases a lot of dirt, most of which ends up in the groundwater, and thus in the cenotes. The same goes for the diesel fuel once the train is running. This makes it potentially unsafe as bathing water, but especially as drinking water. Thus, this only increases the shortage of clean drinking water. Moreover, part of the railway track runs over these cenotes, posing a risk of collapse.

In response to the criticism, the government has announced additional measures:

  • A reforestation programme to restore 500,000 hectares
  • Establishment of 190,000 hectares of new protected areas
  • Investment of $400 million in water treatment projects

But this hasn’t eased the concerns. First, these measures cost the government yet more money, but there is also little confidence that they will actually be implemented.

Impact for tourism and local communities

The Mexican government predicts a 33 billion pessos profit. Tourism and property development are expected to provide much-needed employment for local people. However, critics warn that the benefits may be unevenly distributed. Large hotel chains benefit more than local communities.

  • There are plans to increase the number of visitors to the Calakmul biosphere reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from 50,000 to 3 million a year.
  • More than 3,000 households along the train route have been relocated.
  • According to the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples, about 150,000 Maya people will be directly affected by the project.

Numerous Indigenous organizations have also voiced concerns about the megaproject, viewing it as a symbol of poor governance and unsustainable development. They state that the local communities were informed about short-term benefits, without addressing the potentially negative long-term effects.

A lesson in sustainability and responsible tourism

Tren Maya thus provides a textbook example of the complexities of sustainability and responsible tourism. At first glance, a 1554 km-long rail link seems like a fantastic step towards sustainability, but it hides underlying problems of development and tradition. Traditional peoples and animals being driven out of their habitats is, unfortunately, nothing new in our history. But in the current era, when sustainability and conservation should actually go hand in hand, it is a project that will generate resistance for a long time to come. But will we remember in 10 years’ time that this railway line was not the most ethical construction ever?

The numbers in this article are mainly from ThinkLandscape.

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