Regenerate the social & natural fabric in Oaxaca

If we are to reweave the biosocial fabric in the Central Valleys we will need to deal with Oaxaca´s urban issues as much with the forests and mountains that surround it. For many Oaxacans, the mountain is not just a topographical elevation; It also refers to the natural formations that cover the territory of the entity to varying degrees: forests, jungles, scrublands, palm groves, mangroves. These places house a good part of the much-cited biological wealth of Oaxaca and, for most people, they are fundamental in their territorial organization, their worldview and their survival, in addition to being intimately linked to that other common good: water.

 However, others see the mountain or the forest differently; Some city dwellers consider it vaguely dangerous, a source of discomfort and a refuge for vermin, where at most you have to go for brief periods and adequately protected, to rest from the hustle and bustle of the city. For these urbanites, the forest has a negative connotation, of backwardness and lack of culture.  Still others, encouraged by the economic winds that are blowing strongly today, consider that forests and jungles are basically a source of resources – especially wood. You have to quickly remove as much as you can if exploitation is feasible, if not, you have to knock them down and put something “truly” productive in their place: crops, pastures for livestock, or houses and streets. We know little about what the forests of the region were like before the Colony. We can assume, however, that the vegetation was abundant and the climate more benign and humid. This is indicated by historical references that, for example, describe the surprise of the first Spaniards at the magnitude and abundance of sabinos or ahuehuetes and that caused them to name these lands as valleys of giants. The colonial era gave rise to profound changes, such as the founding of the city and the increase in population, the introduction of livestock farming and forestry exploitation. However, the fastest and most profound changes have taken place in the last five decades, with the generalization of a lifestyle that dominated nature and rural civilization, privileged cities at the expense of the countryside and considered forests and jungles nothing more than temporary reserves of a few products such as wood.

In our project we want to contribute to changing this process and the paradigm on which it is based. It is urgent to publicize, link and replicate the many initiatives that communities, civil organizations, citizens and some government agencies carry out to conserve the forest in the Central Valleys. It is a priority to determine, in a participatory manner, a comprehensive strategy with a basin perspective for the region, so that we can conserve its natural processes and at the same time provide options for social improvement  to its inhabitants. 

And thanks to all of you who support this effort!

Links:

• New facebook page: Community and Citizen Observatory of Water