Socio-economic and environmental diagnosis of the Salt Mines in Isla Mujeres

Abstract

 The two Salt Mines are located in “Isla Mujeres” in the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico. These lagoon complexes known as “Salina Grande” and “Salina Chica” are surrounded by human settlements, which in earlier days represented the economic base of the Island, since inhabitants were devoted to the preservation of seafood (activity that ended in the 1950s). Nowadays, the Salt Mines are abandoned because the channels of seawater supply were blocked years ago. This caused loss of the environmental properties of the area, flora and fauna were destroyed resulting in death of fish and vegetation. At present the Salt Mines have been transformed into unhealthy environments with foul smelling waste deposits. By identifying the social, economic and environmental practices of the neighbors, the aim of this paper is to offer alternative means for the sustainable development of the area. The design of this research was exploratory and focused on the 105 houses established in the surroundings. Data were collected throughout a census or household  survey  and  complemented  with a forum.   The results of this study show the difference  between  the  practices  of  each area, despite their environmental similarities. The main social practices include aid or help during critical situations like illnesses or family problems, while in the economic practices, there is an absence of interaction between neighbors because individual trade constitutes the main productive activity. In the case of the environmental practices, it was observed that neighbors do not consider the Salt Mines as part of their scenery or landscape.