This report reflects on the results of voluntary land use planning processes, called ordenamiento comunitario del territorio, or community territory planning, in four rural communities in the Northern Sierra of Oaxaca, Mexico. In 1992, these communities were the first to use this type of methodology, and it has since become an important environmental planning tool for other local communities seeking sustainable and equitable use of their natural resources, as well as for the governmental institutions that aim to assist communities in these pursuits.

The region reviewed is a biological hotspot and home to some of the world´s most well-preserved cloud forests. Forestry is the economic driver there and land use planning revolves around sustainable and profitable management of timber and non-timber forest products. The communities involved are made up of Zapotec and Chinantec cultures, and their territories which comprise 26,000 Has in total, are communally owned and governed. The local association that formed to handle land management issues is called the Unión Zapoteca-Chinanteca, (UZACHI) and the external non-governmental organization that assists the communities in the planning process is Estudios Rurales y Asesoria, A.C. (ERA). Land management efforts that these groups embarked upon over a decade ago continue today, and the longevity and evolution of the program are cited as significant achievements in the context of other local experiences as well as internationally.

The paper provides basic demographic, economic and environmental data about the area and reflects upon the changes that have occurred since planning steps began. External and internal factors that favored the success of the planning processes, as well as the risks and conflicts encountered are described.

Local technicians trained in forestry undertook vegetation classification and natural resource identification studies then proposed various strategies for land use, conservation and restoration, which the communities negotiated and implemented. Community monitoring and reassessments of different aspects of the plans have been key to its viability. In addition to an increase in wood volume output, the surface area of forested land has increased while the forests have upheld international standards of sustainable management and product certification. Beyond the local technical advancements achieved, the author considers the principal success of the process to be the strengthening of local institutions and social capital. ERA´s main role is identified as facilitator and mediator of inter- and intra-community dialogue, negotiations and cooperation. Local and regional land use goals and priorities have been interwoven despite differing ethnic backgrounds and conflicting interests. Importantly, the planning processes have created a valuable reference point for leadership and accountability amongst community members.

However, the author caveats these advancements by pointing out an 80% reduction in land dedicated to agriculture, which creates nutritional dependency. Also, social and economic inequality is thought to be likely if more land is designated for conservation and investments.

Prepared by Megan Glore