Jaguar Park: The revitalization of a natural paradise

In January 2022, the general public was informed about a project to revitalize the Jaguar Park area in Tulum, Quintana Roo. This project seeks to preserve the environment and convert this space into a park as well as an ecological heritage site.

What you need to know about the Jaguar Park

The Government of Mexico through the Ministry of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development (SEDATU) presented last January 2022 the Jaguar National Park project in Tulum. This project seeks to strengthen the ecological and territorial management of this area as well as to add value to the natural and cultural wealth of the area. Its central access will have an investment of 600 million pesos.

SEDATU will work together with the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the Ministry of Culture, the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP), the Federal Attorney’s Office for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) and the National Guard. 

The announcement was made by the head of SEDATU, Román Meyer Falcón, who commented that this new park will promote the territorial organization of the Riviera Maya’s cultural and natural wealth. On the other hand, this project seeks to improve the conditions for visitors to the Natural Protected Areas as well as the archeological monuments near Tulum.

The Jaguar Park will cover approximately 1,000 hectares and will be a space for coexistence with the environment. The different actions to be implemented are carried out in spaces such as:

• Flora and Fauna Protection Area
• Tulum National Park
• Mexican Caribbean Biosphere Reserve Beaches
• Tulum Archaeological Zone

Actions to revitalize the natural area

SEDATU informed that among the actions to revitalize the Jaguar Park area, the first will be the restoration of degraded areas, taking care of the existing ecosystem. On the other hand, the development of productive activities such as beekeeping will be sought in order to care for the ecosystem.

More details on the actions planned and completed are provided below.

Zone restoration

As previously mentioned, one of the most important actions to be carried out in the Jaguar National Park is the restoration of degraded natural areas. Optimal materials for the area will also be used for its development.

According to INAH, flora and fauna species can be found in the area:

• 4 species of mangrove
• Bromeliads
• Endemic palms
• Jaguars
• Ocelots
• Collared peccaries
• Tigrillos
• Deer

In April of this year, SEDATU reported the completion of the first stage through the Urban Improvement Program. A 21.7-kilometer perimeter fence was built, bordering Tulum National Park and the Flora and Fauna Protection Area.  

A 1.8 kilometer bike path was also built on Avenida Cobá, which includes two service modules.

Preservation of the area

The preservation of the Jaguar Park area contemplates different strategies for the conservation of flora and fauna. The project seeks to emphasize endemic species through the protection and reproduction of species such as the jaguar. 

The Jaguar Park project will include the delimitation of the area to avoid invasions. Another action to be carried out to favor the species is the creation of wildlife crossings so that the species can move freely, species such as the royal flycatcher, jaguar, and spider monkey.

This park will also have the development of environmental guidelines for its operation such as architecture with bioclimatic principles as well as:

• Rational use of water
• Rational use of energy resources

Finally, with the objective of preserving regional species such as the jaguar, it will seek to delimit a new natural protected area. This area could be considered within the 250,000-hectare biosphere reserve.

New museum

The Jaguar Park will also have a site museum. The project is coordinated by SEDATU and INAH through the Urban Improvement Program. INAH’s participation has an important impact because, in addition to protecting the natural wealth, it seeks to protect the cultural and historical richness of the area.

The site museum is currently under construction and will incorporate representations of the Mayan culture. You will be able to learn about:

• Biodiversity of the region
• Model house
• Honey production
• Crops
• Use of local medicinal plants

Mayan Train & Jaguar Park 

The Tren Maya and Jaguar Park projects will have a connecting pathway of trails with stops. The park will link to the Tulum station of the Tren Maya.

Access to areas and beaches

Part of the actions for the development of the Jaguar Park is the creation of new access areas. The aim is to control the entrance and exit of visitors, build service areas and administrative offices, ticket offices, and a public forum. This will be done in order to ensure the proper functioning of the park’s interior.

Another important action within the Jaguar Park is the construction of a visitor attention space for the archaeological corridor that integrates the archaeological zones of Tulum and Tankah. 

As the objective of the project is to organize the territory and at the same time take care of the cultural and natural richness, tours along the cliff will be implemented within the space. 

Finally, you should know that the Jaguar Park will have 7 accesses: four to the public beaches of Mangle, Maya, Pescadores and Santa Fe. The next access will be to the cliff, another to the Mirador Temple and the last one to the lighthouse.

The Jaguar Park is an extremely important project for Tulum and the search for the conservation of the ecosystem. Soon locals and tourists will be able to enjoy a natural space restored with responsible resource management.