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Empowering Local Livelihoods: Bio-Rights in Masá River Microbasin

Explore how the Maxán leaf shapes community livelihoods in Guatemala's Masá River area, balancing trade and ecosystem sustainability. Learn about vulnerabilities, strengths, and disaster risk reduction efforts in this unique landscape.

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Empowering Local Livelihoods: Bio-Rights in Masá River Microbasin

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  1. “Bio-rights: linking community- and ecosystem-based approaches to disaster risk reduction”. & Field visit to project site – Masá River microbasin February 2012

  2. Project area geographical location Guatemala Masá River microbasin Sololá Department

  3. Masá River micro-basin delimitation

  4. Santo Tomás La Unión CARE Office / CARE and Vivamos Mejor staff Downtown Santo Tomás

  5. Landscape views Low-mid basin looking downstream From Santo Tomás (lower basin) looking upstream

  6. Upstream landscape views

  7. Local livelihoods – the Maxan leaf • The Maxán palm (Calathea sp.) is ever-present in the Masá river landscape. • Its leaf is the main tradeable commodity of the local communities, for use elsewhere in Guatemala as a wrapper for foodstuffs. • It can be planted intermixed with other locally consumed crops such as bananas and coffee. • However, economic need drives locals to plant in less suitable areas further upstream. • The plant is less productive in these areas, better suited for watershed protection.

  8. Local livelihoods – the Maxan leaf Price of maxán per pack: US$ 16,-

  9. Vulnerabilities and threats Landslides – f.ex. next to Maxán field Maxán competing with forest cover?

  10. Vulnerabilities and threats Housing in risk areas Terrain! Competing / unsuitable land uses

  11. Vulnerabilities and threats Local dependence on firewood Constant risk of incommunication from road collapse

  12. Strengths and capacities Technical information availability Commited local leadership Organized communities Risk awareness – Pasaquijuyup village shelter

  13. Strengths and capacities HIF Project! Team staff on location Local reforestation experiences – Alnus sp.

  14. Thankyou! Gracias!

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