Forest Management in Totonicapán
Background
Despite the fact that 93 percent of the region's indigenous population lives below the poverty level, the Quiché Mayan people of Totonicapán conserve their forests using traditional natural resource management. For the Quiché Maya, there exists a close relationship between human well-being, nature, and the Mayan spiritual cosmovision. This worldview is the foundation for the approach of community management of forests and streams. However, many traditional practices are disappearing with the passing of older generations, and many young people are migrating out of the area in search of economic opportunities in cities. Traditional knowledge and their associated oral traditions are being lost, and with them an important element for protecting the natural resources in the area.
In 2001, EcoLogic began work in this area and in 2008 a partnership was established with the Association of the 48 Cantons of Totonicapán. The goal of this project is to promote conservation and restoration of forests and water sources through traditional natural resource management.
Project Description
The project includes several components:
- Construction of nurseries to raise locally native trees, predominantly Guatemalan fir (Abies guatemaltensis, known locally as pinabete), pine, cypress, alder, and oak
- Planting and care of the trees on degraded lands
- Conservation and management of forests
- Construction of fuel-efficient wood-burning stoves
- Training of local community leaders and other members of the communities
Progress
Since 2003, the following key accomplishments have been achieved by EcoLogic with its local implementing partners:
- Constructed 3 tree nurseries
- Planted 112,000 trees around water catchment areas, reforesting nearly 240 acres with a variety of local native species
- Protected 1,200 freshwater springs
- Created and distributed guides on sustainable forestry
- Installed 94 fuel-efficient wood-burning stoves that use 50-60% less firewood than traditional open-pit fires
- Executive Committee and 110 administrative water and forest committees strengthened through training
- Established innovative compensation for water program in which community members exchange labor for clean drinking water
- 80 communities benefited by the project
- Project selected as one of 10 finalists worldwide for the Kyoto Water Prize in 2006
Partners and Funders
The Association of the 48 Cantons of Totonicapán is comprised of some 784 community leaders dedicated to protect the Community Forest of San Miguel de los Altos. The Guatemalan government has declared Totonicapán a national protected area, but it is the Association, and around 110 administrative water and forest committees, that are responsible for its care through traditional forest and water management.
This project was made possible by the support of The Blossom Fund, Communitas Charitable Trust, Cottonwood Foundation, EcoLogic Development Fund, Ford Foundation, Norcross Wildlife Foundation, Prospect Hill Foundation, The Sister Fund, Tinker Foundation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation, and various individual donors.