| Starting
Date: |
Agosto
1996 |
| Anticipated
End Date: |
Julio
2001 |
| Coordinator: |
Ing.
César Augusto S. |
| Gender
Activity Representative:
|
Lic.
Leopoldo Ríos M.
|
| Regional
Coordinator: |
Guillermo
Quirós |
1. Geographic
Area
This project is located in the
Municipality of Cobán, Department of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala,
at 15° 46' latitude north 90° 45' longitude west, between
the Chixoy and Icobolay rivers (boundaries to the northeast and
west) and the mountains of the Sultana (southern boundary.) The
area covers an extension 52,804.32 ha (6% of the crosswise band
of territory in northern Guatemala.)
The project is designed to promote community
participation in processes such as a) stabilizing production systems
in zones bordering the park; b) promoting a vision of the park
as a positive factor for local development; c) reinforcing park
management efforts by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and
Food (Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y Alimentación-MAGA)
and the National Forest Institute (Instituto Nacional de Bosques,
INAB) by reinforcing their institutional capacity; and d) promoting
the participation of the different sectors involved in project
implementation.
2. Thematic Area
Development objective:
Conserve natural resources in Laguna Lachuá National Park
and achieve the sustainable use of natural resources in its zone
of influence in order to improve living conditions for local populations,
incorporating gender perspective in all activities
Specific Objectives:
- Encourage effective conservation of biodiversity
in the park with active participation of local organizations
and the area population
- Promote and introduce productive systems
in the areas of forestry, agroforestry and sustainable agriculture,
ensuring active participation by populations in the park's
area of influence
- Ensure legal recognition of the park
and promote and support the legalization of land tenure in
communities located in the area of influence
- Promote product diversification and better
coordination with markets by improving marketing channels
for campesinos in the area of influence
- Strengthen, train and legalize systems
of local organization so that members can participate effectively
in the planning and implementation of their natural resource
projects, with an emphasis on gender development
The Problem
 Despite
the importance of natural resources for the people living in the
zone, these resources are becoming increasingly deteriorated in
areas occupied by communities around the park. This limits their
possibilities for sustainable development and for the biophysical
stability of the park.
Characteristics
The most important features of the park include its high level
of biodiversity (100 species of trees, 130 species of mammals,
298 species of birds, 30 species of fungi and a wide range of
aquatic and sub-aquatic species). The park contains aquatic ecosystems
in both level areas and highlands, and 85-95% of its surface is
in an acceptable state for conservation. It offers the scenic
beauty of a lake 5km2 wide and 222m deep, with crystal clear water
containing ichthyfauna. The lake is surrounded by natural vegetation,
karstic relief and geological faults. The park has a germ plasm
bank representative of ecosystems existing in the area before
the process of colonization began, and endangered species such
as the tapir (Tapirus baird), saraguate monkey (Aloutta pigra)
and jaguar (Panthera onca.)
 Target
group
Approximately 10,000 inhabitants residing in 27 communities located
in the park's zone of influence
Strategy
The project has four basic components: community organization,
extension and training; support for the legalization of land tenure;
marketing support; and diversification of agricultural production.
These activities are carried out in two interdependent geographic
areas, the park and its zone of influence, in two phases: the
first is motivational and the second centers on follow-up and
reinforcement.
The overall strategy of the project is to
carry out activities that make sustainable development possible
in the zone of influence, based on sustainable natural resource
use. Other actions are designed to help the population see the
park as a potential vehicle for development, rather than an obstacle
to the satisfaction of their needs.
3. Summary of work to date
- Recognition of the area of influence and acceptance of communities
directly adjoining the park
- Reconstruction of historical events related to processes
of settlement and natural resource use
- Implementation of an environmental education program
- Improved park administration through the construction of
infrastructure to provide various services
- Collection of field data for a socioeconomic appraisal of
the area (study on efficiency and bio-energetic costs)
- Initiation of official measurement of the park, with support
from INTA
- Coordination of actions with other organizations carrying
out development work in the park's zone of influence
4. Outlook for 1998
- Prepare the park management plan, with the participation
of local inhabitants
- Offer basic services required by researchers as a means
of promoting biophysical research of the park, and attract
visitors with ecotourism or recreational interests
- Begin the process of park legalization and registration
- Improve systems of agroforestry farming through the use
of more efficient production techniques and identify actions
for better product marketing
- Diversify production through the incorporation of new crops
and other activities
- Design and implement a rotating fund in order to incorporate
new productive processes, emphasizing women's participation
- Strengthen family participation in actions that promote
the project by conducting a study on gender and organization
|
