Pictures of Collapse, contamination: Mexican scientists sound alarm at Mayan Train

Workers clear trees for the construction of section 4 of the new Mayan Train route, near Nuevo Xcan, Chemax, Mexico, March 3, 2022. In the eyes of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the railway his government is building - known as the Tren Maya - will bring modern connectivity to areas for generations deprived of significant economic benefits. But pristine wilderness and ancient cave systems beneath the jungle floor are critically endangered by the railway and its hasty construction, droves of scientists and environmental activists say.

A man on a motorcycle crosses the old train tracks where section 3 of the new Mayan Train route was planned to be built before protests moved construction to the outskirts of the city, in Chochola, Yucatan, Mexico.

Juan observes the construction of section 3 of the new Mayan Train route, which he says destroyed part of his home, in Maxcanu, Yucatan, Mexico.

A bulldozer clears jungle for the construction of section 4 of the new Mayan Train route, near Nuevo Xcan, Chemax, Yucatan, Mexico.

People sit outside the church and convent of Santo Domingo in Uayma, close to where Section 4 of the new Mayan Train route is being built, in Yucatan, Mexico.

Ismael Lara, a tour guide, shows tourists a map of the area before visiting a bat cave located in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve close to where section 7 of the new Mayan train route is being built, in Calakmul, Campeche, Mexico.

A residential area, which is being developed for section 5 of the new Mayan Train route, is seen from above in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Environmentalist Raul Padilla Borja, 50, from the organisation "Jaguar Wildlife Center" watches a video of a jaguar detected close to where the new Mayan Train route is being built, in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

A member of the Mexican army and a member of the construction team monitor access to the construction site of section 6 of the new Mayan Train route, in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Women prepare food during celebrations for The Faithful Departed in the town of Buena Vista close to where the new Mayan train route is being built, in Bacalar, Quintana Roo, Mexico.