Indigenous contestation of natural resources in the Lacandon rainforest in Chiapas Mexico

The main objective of this research project is to develop a better understanding of the ongoing struggle over natural resources in the Lacandon forest, a region that includes the Montes Azules and Lacantun Biosphere Reserves. The Lacandon forest is a resource rich area known for its fertile soil, sub-soil and huge potential for ecotourism. Yet, the five different indigenous groups inhabiting the region do not have equal access to these resources. In order to better understand the inequality experienced by the inhabitants of the Montes Azules and Lacantún biosphere reserves, this research project is designed to analyze: (1) the history of the founding and management of these reserves; (2) the conservation policy promoted by Mexican environmental authorities in the Lacandon forest; (3) the different political, social and cultural factors that have contributed to restrict access to economic resources and to aggravate the conditions of inequality of the populations in the biosphere reserves; and (4) the counterproductive effects engendered by Mexican environmental policy in the biosphere reserves.

Faculty Supervisor:

Melissa Gauthier

Student:

Partner:

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Victoria

Program: