ON BACALAR'S DEFENSE. COLLOQUIAL VERSION

eleven-rod shirt to have to continue doing as if we comply, without really complying, and everyone pretends that they do not realize that our country uses ridiculous excuses and explanations that seem to be written under the effects of some narcotic, when presenting reports that border on the ridiculous and ludicrous.

Another thing, Ramsar is not free. It is not a goodwill agreement, belonging to Ramsar not only implies signing a document, you also have to pay a fee as a country, because it is a contract where you have to make annual payments.

Also, in the Ramsar report format Has Mexico already paid its dues to Ramsar? On average our country disbursed between 80 to 114 thousand Swiss francs a year - an average of two million pesos a year, at the current exchange rate - between 2012 and 2014 to pay contributions to Ramsar.

So, if Ramsar's strategy is being implemented in such a mediocre way in Mexico, if it is so disjointed and lacking a comprehensive approach that allows the country to meet the minimum requirements of sustainability, respect for culture and people within the framework of the Convention, why is Mexico still incorporating Ramsar sites?

As we mentioned before, the answer is simple, the promoters of these declarations that come from academia or research, are not interested in human populations, because their approach, topic and often their conflict of interest are species, ecosystems or their idea of the untouched wild site, funds, recognitions or points in the National System of Researchers.

Environmental non-governmental organizations, on the other hand, as selfappointed representatives of society, "survive" and some "live quite well" from these initiatives, getting significant economic benefits, prestige and recognition without really being able to prove a positive impact of their actions.

And so, government, obtains recognition, funds and other juicy benefits that are created from over-regulation and control imposed in a forced manner on local actors, which often results in the juicy business of corruption.

As in the rest of the country, most Ramsar sites in Quintana Roo were declared between 2003 and 2008. 13 areas were established that were approved, and an additional proposal, that of 2014 for Bacalar, promoted by Luisa Falcón and her team, which did not proceed. Of these, 9 were proposed directly by the Directorates of the same reserve, as part of CONANP, 35