It is declared a Protected Natural Area, with the character of Biosphere Reserve, the area known as Los Tuxtlas, located in the municipalities of Angel R. Cabada, Catemaco, Mecayapan, Pajapan, San Andres Tuxtla, Santiago Tuxtla, Soteapan and Tatahuicapan de Juarez, in the state of Veracruz. The area is integrated by a polygon corresponding to the buffer zone, within which are located three core zones named Core Zone Volcano San Martin Tuxtla, Core Zone Sierra Santa Marta and Core Zone San Martin Pajapan. These areas are considered fragile and sensitive environmental systems, for which the general public must abide by the respective Management Program and the provisions contained in the Decree published on November 23, 1998 in the Official Gazette of the Federation.
Natural Protected Area for the conservation of biodiversity with International Designation: RAMSAR site with registration number 1342 and MaB in 2006.