Chapultepec Forest, considered one of the most important lungs of Mexico City, is threatened by real estate interests seeking to modify part of its territory to build housing. Despite being a protected area and a living heritage that promotes values of social, environmental, and cultural justice, the property known as Montes Apalaches 525 in Chapultepec Forest has been the subject of dispute due to an attempt to change the zoning from conservation to residential.
Recently, the Fourth District Judge in Administrative Matters summoned the Congress of Mexico City to carry out this zoning change, which has generated a series of reactions from local authorities. The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, has stated her firm position against allowing any modification that affects this area of Chapultepec Forest, emphasizing that public interest and the welfare of the majority of the population outweigh private businesses.
The Head of Government, Clara Brugada, has supported the President's stance and has denounced the judge's ruling as excessive, indicating that there is an intention to pressure Congress to approve the land-use change without due deliberation. While Morena deputies commit to not voting in favor of the measure to protect the environmental rights of the residents, the opposition has urged compliance with the court order in order to respect the rule of law.
Chapultepec Forest, covering an area of 686 hectares and benefiting over 24 million visitors a year, has been the subject of significant governmental investments through the "Chapultepec: Nature and Culture" program. Both the Sheinbaum and Brugada administrations have assured that any attempt to urbanize protected areas will be fought in defense of environmental heritage.
Protecting this green space is a priority for the authorities, announcing that they are willing to take the fight to the highest legal instances to preserve Chapultepec Forest as a benchmark of green public space in Mexico and the world.
