It was able to combat drought by establishing 579 projects
Zapotec communities in Mexico set up water conservation projects
Indigenous communities in Mexico invent techniques to combat drought.
From the source
Indigenous peoples looked for individual solutions to alleviate the effects of water scarcity.
From the source
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Sixteen indigenous Zapotec communities in Mexico have established more than 579 water conservation infrastructure projects, including boreholes, small dams, and water basins in the Oaxaca Valley - an area affected by recurrent droughts.
Last year, the Mexican government recognized the efforts of these local communities, granting them a concession to manage water resources locally.
leadership positions
A number of women hold leadership positions in these communities, including Josefina, Esperanza and Maria, who have been involved in water conservation projects since severe drought hit the region 17 years ago and hope to advance gender equality in the region.
Josefina Santiago, 43, is an indigenous leader in the Zapotec. “We bury chocolate, flowers and Tejet corn syrup to ask for gentle rain. We call ourselves water growers,” she says. ».
Josefina lives on her family's ecological farming farm in the small village of Provenir of 600 people in the Oaxaca Valley, southwest Mexico.
Together with Esperanza Alonso, another farmer, and Maria de la Santiago, hairdresser, the three women are part of the 16 indigenous Zapotec communities, which have decided to take action on water shortages in the area and replenishment of aquifers.
collective struggle
"When I was a child, all the people had enough water," says Esperanza. "The water was more than 10 meters deep in the wells, and we didn't need to use the pump."
"But now the water levels are really low," explains Esperanza, 57, as she throws a stone into an irrigation well.
Speranza lives in San Sebastian Ocotlan, another small village of 500 people.
Their collective struggle began in 2005 through the organization Peoples United Defense and Water Care with the support of Flore Kanto, an indigenous rights organization.
Mexico has experienced repeated levels of drought in the past few years, including in the Oaxaca Valley.
At this time last year, the drought affected up to 85% of the country.
By mid-May this year, the Oaxaca Valley was experiencing moderate drought, low levels of precipitation and a high risk of wildfires, according to the Conagua Drought Observatory.
Although the rainy season began in early May, by the middle of the month, the Zapotec communities were still waiting for the first rain to renew their farms and gardens.
The region continued to suffer a heat wave, with daily temperatures approaching 35 degrees Celsius.
infrastructure
Since 2005, 579 water infrastructure projects have been established in the entire region.
250 families, along with local municipalities, the Mexican Institute of Technology and the National Indigenous Institute, were directly involved in projects, from digging holes in the ground to allow water to flow into ponds and wells, to building dams in riverbeds.
Once it rains, suction wells - located along street sides or under rooftops - collect it and make sure the water goes underground.
These efforts raised water levels in irrigation wells and rejuvenated the soil.
They have also preserved water resources thanks to small dams in rivers or streams and water basins that retain water and provide a source of thirsty wildlife.
Water troughs are large, rectangular pits that hold rainwater by preventing it from seeping into the soil.
This water is collected directly by the farmers.
Mexico has experienced repeated levels of drought in the past few years, including in the Oaxaca Valley. At this time last year, drought affected up to 85% of the country
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