The proposed new Punta Carey real estate project is a threat to local ecosystems, said Greenpeace, last Thursday.

Proposals for the massive development on the Riviera Maya coast at Xcacel would "put at risk" a turtle sanctuary and mangroves closeby, said the environmental group's Mexican arm.

Xcacel is a beach area located about 74 miles (120km) south of Cancun and about 10 miles (16km) north of Tulum, near to the Xel-Ha tourist attraction on the Mayan Riviera.

As reported in a previous article, the Xcacel real estate plans are currently being reviewed by the Mexican Government's Secretary for the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT).

Proyecto Punta Carey would include a 64.4 acre (26.05 hectare) resort development consisting of 30 apartments, over 100 hotel rooms, a club house and associated buildings and services.

Greenpeace said the plans include opening 3.5 acres (1.4 hectares) of canals in the mangrove zone, which will receive 32,757 gallons (124,000 liters) of treated residual water per day.

This would "impact negatively on the hydrological flow for the mangroves", said the environmentlists.

They said it would also be a "clear violation" of Mexican Wildlife Law and called on SEMARNAT to deny permission for the construction of the project.

The Tulum real estate market has seen proposals for similar developments at Xcacel in the past.

In 2001, opponents succeeded in preventing Spanish hotel chain, Sol Melia, from building a resort in the same location and won a legal battle to the protect land.