Ecotourism in Singayta, Mexico

Background

Singayta is a small ejido village of about 40 families who in the past have supported themselves by the sale of palm fronds, used in constructing ramadas and palapa roofs.  In October, 2002, a category 5 hurricane hit the area and destroyed much of the surrounding vegetation.  The land was further threatened by recent changes in the laws allowing ejido members to sell their land, making it attractive to fruit farmers and ranchers who would cut down the remaining vegetation.  Since this area is so unique, the El Manglar Environmental Protection Group stepped in to see how they could help.   The group and the villagers built a clubhouse and discussed ways to make money without cutting down the trees.   The end result is a 3-fold plan.  First they are opening up the town for ecotourism, with guided tours of the village, the jungle and the mangrove estuaries.  Second, they are going to make indigenous handicrafts since many of the villagers are Huichol and Cora in origin.  Third, they are starting a nursery with the long term plan of propagating  native orchids.  The villagers are enthusiastic about these changes and we wish them success.