Participatory Environmental Regulation

The indigenous communities of Southeastern Mexico have cared for and managed their land since before the arrival of colonialism. Today, the indigenous still respect the environment deeply. However, they no longer exist within a closed system. The outside world has put various pressures on the rural way of life. This has necessitated a deeper understanding of ones own territory and natural resources. By learning what the land contains and how to manage it, communities can more effectively conserve their environment and live sustainably.
           
Various threats face the ecology surrounding indigenous communities in Mexico today. Economic interests are exploiting valuable natural resources (water, precious woods and minerals, biodiversity, oil). The introduction of modern consumer products has led to garbage problems and water contamination. Agricultural chemicals and transgenic seeds poison the earth and the people who live in it. These threats call for a more focused environmental and political organization within communities, so they can continue being the guardians of their own land and livelihoods.

Once our consulting services are requested, we enter the community offering our particular technical expertise; however every step involves the full participation of community members. The process of Participatory Environmental Regulation involves 4 phases:

• The first, descriptive phase develops a detailed understanding of the land and what it contains. With community members, we perform trainings on the use of GPS and mapping systems, plant and animal identification, and soil profiling. Then we perform field studies, mapping the topography and natural resource layout of the terrain. By understanding the natural resources contained within an area, one is able to get the most out of the land while respecting the biodiversity that currently exists. In addition, communities are able to gauge the value of strategic natural resources in order to defend them against the exploitation of foreign interests.
• In the diagnostic phase, community members discuss the benefits and pitfalls of the current usage of their land. This discussion works towards an understanding of the importance of the existent natural resources to the way of life, and how they are being threatened by local and outside practices. Long term benefits are weighed against short-term economic gains, and a consensus is reached of what is best for the community as a whole.
• Plans are set down in the strategic phase. Here we seek solutions to environmental challenges to maximize ecological sustainability and community health. Alternatives are proposed to contaminants (garbage, petrochemicals, human waste), utilizing practical technology such as composting toilets, organic fertilizers, and wood-saving stoves. Plans are then set down of how to manage land usage within the community.
• In the organizational phase, an Ecological Assembly is created to manage ecological issues that arise in the future. Once the Ecological Assembly is in place, it can provide a forum for the needs of the community as they change over time. Representatives are selected on a rotating basis.

Of course, the process is complicated. Everyone is invited into the decision making process, and as within any democratic process, it takes time to reach a consensus among various diverging interests. However, with a greater level of organization and education on the environment, communities can make more informed and effective decisions over the usage of their land, and maximize their health and livelihood.

For more information on our services, you can contact us, or acquire the several books we have written in Spanish on the topic.