NAPECA Project

Background

For centuries, the Purépecha indigenous communities settled at Lake Patzcuaro and its shores have depended on its waters for their collective development and well-being. However, today, pollution, the loss of endemic biological resources of high economic value, such as the pike silverside (Chirostoma estor estor), ecological impairment, and social fragmentation have led to social marginalization, extreme poverty, emigration to the United States, and the loss of indigenous identity in these communities.

The purpose of the project is to foster social organization, reinforce the indigenous identity and consolidate economic autonomy through the responsible use of the wetland ecosystem, the biological conservation of the pike silverside and the development of production projects compatible with the regional reality, through ecological zoning, productive training, respect for gender equality and the strengthening of the indigenous organization.

Goals

• To form local leaders capable of strengthening the Purépecha indigenous identity and develop sustainable production and conservation projects.
• To draft community ecological zoning in the three indigenous communities at Lake Patzcuaro: the islands of Morelos, Yunuén and Tecuén.
• To create administrative microplanning strategies for the efficient use of economic resources in the family production unit, with consultation forums for participative planning and decision-making in the indigenous communities of Urandén de Morelos, Yunuén and Tecuén.
• To implement sustainable production and environmental conservation projects, including elements of floriculture, woodland nurseries, crafts, ecotourism, patron saint festivities, gastronomy and conservation of the pike silverside and salamander (Ambystoma dumerilii) in Lake Patzcuaro.
• To hold the first Purépecha forum on sustainable regional development in the Lake Patzcuaro and Zirahuén area, both to create awareness of progress and also to share experiences and results.
• To prepare a procedure manual for the regional development of Purépecha indigenous communities at Lake Patzcuaro.

Main activities

• Holding 12 training and local leadership workshops.
• Drafting the community ecological zoning on the three indigenous communities at Lake Patzcuaro.
• Drafting and implementing administrative microplanning strategies for the efficient use of economic resources.
• Implementing 12 production and environmental conservation projects.
• Holding the first Purépecha forum for sustainable regional development at Lake Patzcuaro.
• Prepare a procedure manual for the development regional of Purépecha indigenous communities at Lake Patzcuaro.

Results

• Development of 12 indigenous leaders with the aim of teaching and training the three communities in a compatible, local language.
• Community ecological zoning to favor legal certainty in land use and to facilitate institutional economic support for strategic community projects.
• Training 12 production units in administrative microplanning to foster economic efficiency.
• Implementation of 12 production and environmental conservation projects to foster jobs and food autonomy.
• Management of coastal zones in Purépecha communities.
• Sustainable management of resources in Purépecha communities.
• Forum for sharing sustainable production and alternative technology experiences (along with a folkloric dance and regional dress festival), to foster awareness of the sustainable regional development model.
• Fostering other projects to promote ongoing development and innovation.
• Publication and release of the sustainable development manual Purépecha communities.