Conservation through ancestral knowledge
In Concepción Chiquirichapa, a Maya Mam people in western Guatemala, they based their conservation policies on the ancestral knowledge inherited from their ancestors.
Since 2002, Marcelino Aguilar has strived to protect the natural resources of his native Concepción Chiquirichapa. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
Cerro Siete Orejas, through an interpretive tour, reminds its visitors, both foreign and local, that the development of the Concepción Chiquirichapa population depends on its care. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
Marcelino Aguilar shows how the effort of the Municipality of Concepción Chiquirichapa has allowed them to reforest Cerro Siete Orejas. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
Cerro Siete Orejas is of great importance for the economic development of Concepción Chiquirichapa, since the ecosystem services it provides are directly linked to its economic activities. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
Marcelino Aguilar, in charge of the Environmental Education office of the Municipality of Concepción Chiquirichapa, walks among the nursery that serves for the reforestation campaigns of Cerro Siete Orejas. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
Cerro Siete Orejas, in Concepción Chiquirichapa, is the guardian of the "13 energies", according to Romualdo López, Maya Mam spiritual guide. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
The litter is used by local farmers to grow potatoes. Without it, local agriculture would be less efficient than it is now. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
Marcelino Aguilar explains that the Concepción Chiquirichapa conservation program has allowed the recovery of Cerro Siete Orejas. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
Romualdo López is a spiritual guide, linguist and municipal councilor, who believes that the world should value more the importance of the energy of mountains. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
"The Mayans venerate the four cardinal points," which are represented by "the Mayan cross" according to Romualdo López, a spiritual guide from Concepción Chiquirichapa. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
Marcelino Aguilar and Romualdo López share their interest in caring for natural resources and respecting the cultural legacy of their ancestors. Photo: Jorge Rodríguez/Viatori
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