| The forest of Cantel is crucial to human subsistence, and the local people rely on it to provide heat, food, fuel, and water. The most obvious causes of deforestation are inadequate forest management and the growing population’s reliance on wood for cooking. The high price of propane forces many families to use traditional ¨plancha¨ stoves, or cook over an open fire.There is a causal relationship between deforestation and population growth, and as the population of Cantel balloons, so does the need for firewood, lumber products, and land to cultivate crops. |
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As deforestation has increased in the region, local residents have noticed a definite decrease in water supply. For the forest to remain a source of life in Cantel, a balance must be achieved between serving human needs and protecting the forest’s ability to fulfill its ecological roles.
Chico Mendes reforestation group has recognized the need to reforest the region and is actively combating the destructive effects of deforestation. Inspired by and named after the Brazilian community land activist, Chico Mendes grows and plants trees to insure the sustainability of their community. Founded four years ago by local community members, Chico Mendes has evolved into a committed group of six members, and receives support from the international community through volunteers and financial assistence for materials. With a goal of growing and caring for 100,000 trees this year, Chico Mendes will be able to support the reforestation of nine hectares of land. Members of Chico Mendes are also building consciousness among the local community. Armando Lopez, the project leader, visits schools in local municipalities to teach children about the effects of deforestation, recycling, and the environment in general.
The uncontrolled harvesting of trees in Cantel has severe effects, including the loss of biodiversity due to diminished habitat, soil erosion, water pollution, reduction of underground water sources, and harmful effects to the hydrologic cycle. Deforestation causes widespread harm to human health, and the rate of respiratory infections in Guatemala has increased drastically in recent decades.
Germinating and planting indigenous species of plants (alder, colored pine, and cypress), Chico Mendes strategically pinpoints areas of private and communal land in Cantel to plant their saplings. By planting trees near the inception of local springs, Chico Mendes expects that quantity of water within each spring will begin to increase, therefore providing sufficient water sources to the community. In addition, Chico Mendes hopes to promote the birth of new springs amongst the rich mountains of Cantel.
Much of Guatemala’s surface area has undergone moderate erosion, and some has suffered severe to irreversible erosion. That erosion is obvious by the heavy sediment load and brown color of many of the nation’s rivers, including the Samala river, which bisects the Municipality of Cantel. Subsistence farming is common in Cantel, and the area is famous for its rich, volcanic soil. Yet with the arable topsoil washing down river, massive deposits of sand are replacing the fertile, dark earth, and severely affecting the productivity of the region.
Chico Mendes provides trees for the community members to plant among their crops. As the roots of the trees penetrate the soil, the surrounding area succumbs to less erosion as the soil is held in place. As the trees grow taller in time, the farmer can cut the limbs of the trees to eliminate shade among the crops and use the branches as firewood.
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Forests have always been critical to human survival, food security, economic development and health. Today, the demands facing the forest environment of Cantel are more pressing than ever due to population growth, environmental stress, socio-economic development, and the continuation of Mayan cultural and spiritual ideals.
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Chico Mendes is one of the largest reforestation groups in the department of Quetzaltenango. The members of Chico Mendes are visionary community leaders, and their drive to implement sustainable forest and natural resource management is infectious among other community leaders. Planning for future generations is at the heart of their reforestation work, and they are working to share their vision with others.
Be part of the reforestation process! Chico Mendes always needs short- and long-term volunteers to work along side the Guatemalan volunteers to help on construction projects, build seedbeds, transplant seedlings, collect mulch, care for the plants in the nursery, plant trees, and help raise much-needed funds for materials. Local accomodations with families are available for volunteers in the municipality of Cantel.
