The project to enhance the environmental quality of Lake Texcoco not only aims to protect the ecosystem but also to generate social benefits for more than 12.5 million inhabitants of the Valley of Mexico. This approach highlights Mexico's commitment to sustainability and the protection of its natural resources, thereby contributing to a more resilient future against the effects of climate change.
Lake Texcoco has been designated as the first Demonstrative Site of Ecohydrology in Mexico, a recognition awarded by UNESCO. This distinction emphasizes the actions implemented in the area to improve water quality, restore ecosystems, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and strengthen governance in the region.
At an event held on World Wetlands Day, the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, along with Andrés Morales from UNESCO Mexico, announced this designation in a ceremony with local communities at the Ecological Park.
The area of Lake Texcoco was declared a Protected Natural Area in 2022, with Semarnat working on a Hydric Program dedicated to the recovery of the lake and its wetlands, aiming to generate both environmental and social benefits for the population of the Valley of Mexico.
Covering more than 10,000 hectares, this ecosystem houses significant biological diversity, with over 250 species of flora and 370 species of fauna. Among the species present are some critically endangered ones, such as the axolotl, the rugged-necked caiman lizard, and the Chapultepec splitfin fish, as well as vulnerable birds like the buff-breasted sandpiper. The recovery efforts include initiatives such as water treatment through wetlands and the restoration of the region's cultural heritage.
