The Interior Ministry confirmed Tuesday that free public access to Las Cocinas — a secluded beach at the tip of Banderas Bay, adjacent to a luxury development at Punta de Mita, Nayarit — will be guaranteed.

The announcement followed protests against a mega-tourism project, during which denouncements were made of alleged attempts to limit or privatize beach access.

In its statement, Segob said that “free access to beaches is a right that must be guaranteed in accordance with the current legal framework, and will therefore be a central focus in decisions related to the project.”

Segob stated that, along with the Environment Ministry (Semarnat) and the Nayarit state government, direct communication is being maintained with residents and other stakeholders involved.

It also promised to establish dialogue with the local community to listen to proposals, review the progress of the work on the beach and follow up on technical and environmental evaluations of the project.

These meetings will be attended by Segob, Semarnat, the Federal Attorney’s Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa), state authorities, representatives of the development company and residents of Punta de Mita.

The protest, during which activists clashed with state police, resulting in three arrests, was the latest of a series of demonstrations targeting the tourism project at Las Cocinas beach. The protests have been brewing for months,  but in recent weeks have escalated to blockades and marches, as well as occasional physical clashes.

Besides their demand for guaranteed free access to Las Cocinas and a halt to any attempt to privatize or block it — which appears to be successful given Segob’s statement — activists and residents of Punta Mita are also calling for full transparency regarding the tourism project, including the public disclosure of permits, the Environmental Impact Assessment (MIA) and the true scope of the project.

MND Local: Protests grow as luxury projects expand along Nayarit coast

Beyond these demands, protesters claim the project poses a threat to the local ecosystem as it involves the removal of rocks and vegetation, alteration of the beach and possible impacts on turtle nesting areas.

To address these demands, Segob said in its statement that environmental authorities would carry out technical supervision and verification actions to ensure that any work or intervention in the area is carried out in accordance with the law and for the benefit of the community.

It also said the development must follow the criteria of “legality, social dialogue and respect for the environment.”

 With reports from El Informador