The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) has imposed a temporary total closure and precautionary seizure of machinery used in land use change projects and activities on forest land within the property known as Fracción Segunda Mitzitón, in the municipality of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas.
During environmental and forestry impact inspections conducted on October 8 and 9, 2025, Profepa personnel verified the removal and felling of pine-oak vegetation over an area of 2,344.82 m² using heavy machinery. They also opened, leveled, and paved internal streets with gravel, and excavated storm drains over a total area of 219.86 m².
The site manager reported that the project involved the sale of rural lots, but did not present the environmental and forestry impact authorizations issued by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).
Given this situation, Profepa imposed a temporary total closure of the works, covering an area of 8,900 m2, as a safety measure, with the aim of halting the impact on the forest ecosystem and preventing the continuation of irregular activities.
In addition, the machinery used was seized as a precautionary measure, consisting of one compactor equipped with a roller, one tracked excavator, and one dump truck.
The actions were carried out pursuant to Article 170, Section I, of the General Law on Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection, and Article 161 of the General Law on Sustainable Forest Development, to protect the forests of the Los Altos region of Chiapas and prevent their degradation due to unauthorized land-use changes.
Profepa (National Forestry and Forestry Agency) has issued the corresponding reports on environmental and forestry impacts and will follow up on the administrative procedure to determine responsibilities and applicable sanctions.
The Attorney General’s Office will continue to carry out inspection and surveillance activities in the municipality of San Cristóbal de Las Casas and throughout the state to prevent and punish any activity that jeopardizes the ecological balance.
Source: gob
