Protests drowned
despite protests by environmentalists against exploiting the northern Pacific coast for tourism, the Mexican government is going ahead with its plan to develop a beach resort in the northwestern state of Baja California. The greens argue that the project could harm the delicate ecology of the region. Some time ago, the government cancelled plans to build a salt plant in a wildlife sanctuary in Baja California due to massive protests by Mexican and international environmental groups.
The costly resort project would be funded mostly by the private sector and would give jobs to more than 35,000 people. The entire work on the development of the project would be over by 2015. It is expected to draw 700,000 visitors. "It's a natural, protected bay of impressive beauty that is unique and with extraordinary tourism potential,' says John McCarthy, head of the Mexican government tourism promotion agency Fonatur.
Apart from three hotels and two restaurants, the complex would have a golf course, a marina, a port, two recreation centres, two condominiums and shopping centres.