Specialists warn about the deterioration of the dune ecosystem in La Paz: urbanization and vehicles are destroying it.

The expansion of illegal construction, the use of motorized vehicles on the sand, and the lack of effective regulation are threatening one of the state's most fragile ecosystems.

Dunas BCS

In recent weeks, researchers and environmentalists have sounded the alarm about the accelerated deterioration of the dune system that borders part of the La Paz coastline , especially in areas such as El Mogote , El Comitán and the vicinity of El Tecolote .

The expansion of illegal construction, the use of motorized vehicles on the sand, and the lack of effective regulation are threatening one of the state's most fragile ecosystems.

Coastal dunes are not simply mounds of sand: they serve a vital function as a natural barrier against hurricanes, control soil salinization, and act as an ecological filter between the sea and urban areas. They are also habitats for endemic species and a migratory corridor for coastal birds.

A recent study conducted by the UNAM Institute of Ecology in conjunction with CIBNOR revealed that 38% of the dune ecosystem in La Paz Bay is highly altered, and that there is a progressive loss of vegetation cover that compromises the stability of the sand formations.

Gabriela Peña , a biologist at CIBNOR , explained that "more and more people are using 4x4 vehicles or ATVs in unauthorized areas, unaware of the damage they cause. Each track can take years to disappear and leaves the dune exposed to erosion."

Although there are laws protecting dunes as part of the coastal ecosystem, their enforcement has been erratic. In some cases, local authorities have allowed construction within federal zones, protected by unclear permits or with supposed "public consultations" that were never legitimately conducted.

Faced with this situation, groups such as Guardianes del Manglar, Niparajá, and Baja Aves are promoting a proposal to declare certain areas as State Protected Natural Areas , with community surveillance, clear demarcation, and severe penalties for those who damage these ecosystems.

The issue has also been addressed by the State Congress, where opposition legislators have presented a point of agreement demanding that PROFEPA , SEMARNAT , and the La Paz City Council implement an urgent restoration and protection plan.