Totonicapan Article

Totonicapán:
a forest of hope
Muddy and exhausted, Enrique Tzunun makes his way back home to his mountain town
of Chuicruz after a long day of volunteer tree-planting. Its a tough job, but an important
one that—he knows—needs to be done. At 50, he is old enough to understand that
at stake is the future of the Totonicapán forest and the communities that for centuries
have depended on it. He is proud to be part of this ongoing effort to protect the forest,
especially now, when judging by the looks of the reforestation crew, he confirms that the
local youth are beginning to take interest in the protection of their community forests.
For over 800 years, traditional indigenous communities have managed and protected
the 21,000 hectares that comprise Guatemala’s Totonicapán forest. The protection of
this forest is important to these communities, not only as the origin of the 1200 water
sources that supply the 110 communities surrounding it, but also as an traditional
ceremonial centre. So far they have succeeded in protecting Totonicapán, but recently
the local authorities have started to worry about the increasing pressures threatening the
forest, mainly illegal logging, unsustainable management practices, and an expanding
agricultural frontier. Aggravated by last year’s storm Agatha that caused severe floods
and landslides, the resulting degradation of Totonicapán’s natural capital now threatens
the water supply of this whole region, not to mention their traditional worldview.
As member of an administative water committee, Enrique has been involved in this

process since the early stages, back when the local authorities –48 canton mayors and
110 water committees– started discussing options to address these issues, and decided
to partner with EcoLogic for the implementation of solutions. He knows a lot of work
remains to be done before the forest can be considered safe, but still, he considers the
accomplishments achieved since 2003 with the help of EcoLogic to be significant. And
perhaps more important, Enrique is convinced that the conservation plan that will be
implemented in 2011 is one more step in the right direction.
The Plan for the Conservation of the Totocancipán Communal Forest from a Traditional
Management Perspective hopes to actively engage 50 communities in the protection and
sustainable management of both forest and water resources. It addresses the problem
by taking a practical three-pronged approach: building and installing local capacity
to restore the forests, reducing deforestation pressure by local people, and rescuing
the traditional knowledge about forest management, which ultimately will ensure the
sustainability of the efforts.
Tree production and reforestation

The goal for 2011 is to restore 99 hectares of degraded forests by planting 110,000
native seedlings of diverse species that will be produced in the existing and proposed
community greenhouses, using both traditional and modern methods. Planted trees
will be monitored in order to assess success rates and inform future plans. While tree
production activities are coordinated by EcoLogic, manpower is provided by the 100
local water committees and by volunteers, who in return get to plant the trees in their
areas.
Using efficient wood stoves to reduce pressure on forests

Wood harvest for cooking stoves is one the local drivers of deforestation. It is also one
that can easily be reduced by building efficient stoves that consume up to 40% less wood,
while reducing associated health problems. The goal for 2011 is to help 150 families to
build their own new stoves, and learn how to use them. In return, each family will plant
100 new trees.
Rescue and socialization of traditional knowledge

The traditional knowledge that has served the communities of Totocancipán to
sustainably manage their resources for centuries is at risk of being lost to the newer
generations. This knowledge must be rescued, and more importantly, used to empower
the new generation to better steward their forests. The goal for 2011 is to spread this
knowledge to 50 communities and 110 water committees, and to at least 250 youth in
10 local schools. Workshops, volunteer reforestation days, cultural and other activities
are contemplated to achieve maximum community involvement at all levels.
The Totocancipán forest is full of surprises, so Enrique know new challenges await
ahead. But for now, he feels there is reason for hope. After all, the Plan that is now being
implemented was drafted by the communities in response to their own needs and interests,
and they have found a solid partner to assist them. Efforts to restore the native forests
of Totocancipán and protect its endemic species, the pinabete (Abies guatemalensis) are
underway; there are plans to build more than 500 efficient stoves over the next few years;
and the newer generations are finally being taught the value of what is perhaps one of the
most notable examples of sustainable forest management in Central America.

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Totonicapán:

As member of an administative water committee, Enrique has been involved in this

Tree production and reforestation

Using efficient wood stoves to reduce pressure on forests

Rescue and socialization of traditional knowledge

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