Invaders have cleared nearly 2,000 hectares of jungle in the Balam Ku Biosphere Reserve to sell the land for profit [1].
The destruction threatens one of Mexico's critical ecological zones, where illegal land speculation undermines government efforts to preserve biodiversity and protect indigenous territories.
The affected area spans the municipalities of Calakmul, Escárcega, and Candelaria in the state of Campeche [1, 2]. These incursions began shortly after the region was officially declared a protected natural area in August 2023 [1]. Groups of invaders have targeted the jungle, removing vegetation to facilitate the illegal sale of the land [1].
"La Reserva de la Biosfera Balam Ku está sufriendo problemas de deforestación," Redacción Milenio Hábitat said [1].
In response to the widespread damage, the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection, known as Profepa, has taken enforcement action. A spokesperson for Profepa said the agency closed 2,600 hectares of jungle across the states of Yucatán, Campeche, and Quintana Roo [2]. This broader enforcement action includes the Balam Ku region but covers a wider geographic area than the specific incursions reported in Calakmul.
The disparity in figures reflects the scale of the crisis; while nearly 2,000 hectares were specifically targeted by invaders in Calakmul [1], the total area under government closure across three states reached 2,600 hectares [2].
Local authorities continue to monitor the region to prevent further land seizures. The rapid deforestation since 2023 highlights the difficulty of policing remote jungle territories against organized land grabbing operations.
“Invaders have cleared nearly 2,000 hectares of jungle in the Balam Ku Biosphere Reserve”
The rapid deforestation of the Balam Ku Biosphere Reserve shortly after its 2023 designation suggests a gap between legal protection and physical enforcement. When protected status is announced without immediate security, it can paradoxically trigger a 'land rush' where illegal actors accelerate clearing to establish claims before authorities can mobilize.
