On October 2, 2025, the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) executed a temporary closure of all unauthorized works and activities within the Catazajá Lagoon, in the Santa Cruz and Loma Bonita ejidos (common lands), in the municipality of Catazajá, Chiapas. The measure was taken after verifying the construction of a rural road within the body of water, made of earth, gravel, and stone fill.
Six Profepa personnel and ten members of the National Guard participated in the investigation, verifying that the road was 260 meters long and had an approximate area of 3,120 square meters. In addition, two concrete culverts and mounds of construction materials were detected, all constructed with heavy machinery and without the corresponding environmental impact permits.
Direct impact on the natural channel
The works were intended to create a passage between the aforementioned ejidos (common lands), but because they were located within the body of water, they altered the natural channel of the lagoon, posing a risk to the ecological balance of the site. Profepa (National Prosecutor’s Office) indicated that this type of intervention can alter biodiversity, affect aquatic species, and compromise the environmental services provided by the ecosystem.
The agency will continue with the corresponding administrative procedure, in addition to maintaining surveillance and verification patrols in the area to prevent new unauthorized construction.
Urgent call to respect bodies of water
Profepa (National Prosecutor’s Office) called on the public not to carry out any construction work within lagoons, channels, or bodies of water without the necessary environmental permits, as these actions can have legal consequences and cause irreversible damage to the environment.
The protection of aquatic ecosystems is a national priority, and authorities reiterate that the preservation of biodiversity depends on compliance with the law and citizen participation in reporting irregular activities.
Source: elimparcial
