This is a pharaonic project: over 1,500 kilometers, the railway is supposed to connect the Mayan ruins with each other to boost tourism in south-eastern Mexico, far beyond the seaside resort of Cancun (Quintana Roo).
Called the "Maya Train", the initiative symbolizes the policy of major works of the President of the Left, Andrés Manuel López Obrador ("AMLO"). But the book threatens an archaeological and ecological heritage unique in the world, inciting environmentalists to raise the alarm. The fate of the controversial megaproject is in the hands of the indigenous communities, called, Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15, to decide whether to launch the site or not.
"If people say no, it will stop there", ensures AMLO, a follower of direct democracy. His government organized a popular consultation in 3,425 Mayan villages located near the route. If the yes wins, the works should start in April 2020. Four years later, the train will cross at 160 km / hour five states to form a loop around the Yucatan peninsula, the most visited region of a classified country. seventh among world tourist destinations (41 million foreign visitors).
The goal: to connect different Mayan sites, with their spectacular pyramids and seaside resorts with fine sandy beaches.
"Opening up disadvantaged areas"
During the day, the mixed-use train will be for tourists and local passengers. At night, its wagons will transport goods, converting the fifteen stations into poles of regional development. "Enough to open up disadvantaged areas that do not benefit from the benefits of tourism", campaign President Lopez Obrador.
Evaluated at 5.6 billion euros, the project has become emblematic of the mandate (2018-2024) of the first left-wing president in the country's recent history. "AMLO" wants to create jobs to fight poverty which strikes more than four out of ten Mexicans. A plague that affects 76% of the population in the state of Chiapas (southwest), where the train would pass.
Movement and reproduction of jaguars could be affected by railroads.
But the remedy could prove to be worse than the disease. Group of biologists from Yucatan University worried "Possible dramatic consequences for the ecosystem".
