### Citizens Petition Against Harmful Balandra Tourist Project
**La Paz, September 10, 2024** – In the wake of a Public Consultation conducted by the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) regarding the “Kuni” project, residents of La Paz have mobilized to collect signatures in a bid to halt the project. Their goal is to prevent the issuance of the Environmental Impact Statement (MIA) for this venture.
The proposed tourist project, set to span 14 hectares in the Balandra Protected Natural Area (ANP) and adjacent lands in El Tecolote, has sparked severe concerns. Citizens are using the platform Change.org to petition Semarnat, urging the agency to deny authorization to Maravia, the company behind the project.
“We are deeply concerned about the Kuni project, promoted by Maravia S.A. de C.V., whose Environmental Impact Statement is being processed under Log Number 03BS2024U0014,” the petition states.
Key issues highlighted include La Paz’s ongoing water crisis, one of the most severe in Mexico, according to the National Water Commission (Conagua). Between 2000 and 2014, La Paz saw a 117 percent increase in urban sprawl, largely driven by tourism-related real estate investments. Baja California Sur ranks second in the country for the rapid expansion of urban areas.
Critics argue that such projects lead to environmental degradation, privatization of common areas, and numerous socio-environmental consequences. The Kuni project alone aims to construct 20,000 six-story rooms over 20 years across 1,600 hectares, requiring 10,000 cubic meters (m³) of water for construction and 7,500 m³ from a desalination plant daily for operations. This would result in the discharge of over 5,300 m³ of brine, potentially harming marine life in La Paz.
Additionally, concerns are raised about impacts on Balandra’s flora and fauna, protected under NOM-059 regulations. The Governor of Baja California Sur, Víctor Castro Cosío, has voiced his opposition to any developments that would siphon water from the city but open to projects using desalinated water.
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### Environmental Concerns Rise Over Kuni Project
In another related development, environmental groups have intensified their efforts to draw attention to the potential ecological damage the Kuni project could cause. They argue that the construction and operation of such a massive project in a protected area are antithetical to environmental preservation.
Several demonstrations have been organized in La Paz, with participants calling for more stringent environmental reviews and transparent public consultations. The groups emphasize the need for sustainable development practices that do not put natural ecosystems at risk.
Meanwhile, local businesses are divided on the issue. While some support the potential economic benefits of increased tourism, others warn that these gains could be short-lived if the environmental costs lead to long-term degradation.
The debate continues, highlighting the ongoing struggle between economic development and environmental conservation in one of Mexico’s most treasured natural landscapes.