Mexico City Designates Six New Urban Forest Areas

Martí Batres, Mexico City Mayor, announced the designation of six new Urban Forest Areas (UFAs) across the capital, in celebration of World Environment Day. The declarations cover five UFAs totaling 178ha, including the Vicente Guerrero Linear Park and Cuitlahuac Park in Iztapalapa, and the Grand Canal-Ave Fenix Linear Park in Venustiano Carranza. The Ramon Lopez Velarde Garden in Cuauhtemoc and the Alameda del Sur in Coyoacan are also included.

Batres explained that UFAs ensure protection against urbanization and privatization, safeguarding their ecological contributions. Under his administration, shared with Claudia Sheinbaum, sustainability initiatives included planting 45 million vegetation specimens, with plans for 50 million by 2024. Moreover 64,000 Rainwater Harvesting Systems have been installed, primarily in the southern city districts. Legislatively, reforms have bolstered penalties for illegal logging and secured budgets for conservation.

Marina Robles, Environment Secretary, highlighted that 10 declarations under this administration, including eight UFAs and two Natural Protected Areas (NPAs), add nearly 500ha for conservation. This initiative aligns with the UN Environment Programme's theme of land restoration, encouraging a generational commitment to sustainability. The city's efforts have garnered 24 national and international awards, reflecting a transformation from pollution-ridden past to sustainable urban beacon.