Tacoma SDSCitizens' Collective Blocks Development of their Land
Posted June 6th, 2008 by AnonymousLocal citizens and environmentalists in Balandra, located outside the city of La Paz, have gathered over 18,000 signatures to halt the development of the untouched beach town.
The area has been the target of ambitious tourist developers for years hoping to emulate other successful Mexican tourist destinations such as Cancun and Cabo San Lucas. The developer’s interest, led by the son of a former state governor of Veracruz, included an elaborate hotel and golf course scheme.
Colectivo Balandra, as the group is called, successfully appealed to state officials whom have now designated a total of 5,000 acres of shoreline and sea as Natural Protected Area. La Paz and Balandra are located on the Sea of Cortez, the narrow strip of water that separates Baja California from the Mexican border.
The La Paz region, coined the “largest aquarium in the world” by marine ecologist Jacques Cousteau, is well known for it’s extremely diverse ecosystem and is home to several rare and endangered species.
Environmental issues and conserving the small amount of undisturbed costal stretch were the focal point of the collective’s campaign. As their website reads, “The landscapes of the rest of the beaches of La Paz have already been modified with various types of constructions and installations; Balandra is the only one that remains to us.”
Many are viewing this local grassroots effort as a key departure from environmentally destructive and cultural exploitative tourism. An initiative led by locals who desire preserving the land for their own communities to enjoy despite the temptation of jobs created by foreign tourism.
The question remains, is this communities campaign indicative of future initiatives and a shift in priorities regarding the importance of the type of tourism industry we see so often monopolizing places of splendid natural beauty?
Learn more about Colectivo Balandra: http://www.balandraesnuestra.org/
Story from EcoSpace Conscious Community (http://www.ecospace.cc/environment/balandra-beach-mexico-0601.htm)
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