Mexico’s Environment Ministry (Semarnat) has earmarked a modest funding package to promote the conservation of Lake Chapala’s natural wealth. This is first time funding has been made available since the lake’s 2009 recognition as an internationally important wetland under the Ramsar Convention, as well as the Cierro Viejo protected forest area designation formalized earlier this year.
According to Chapala’s ecology director, the agency has budgeted three million pesos to be split this year between Tlajomulco de Zuñiga, Jocotepec, Ixtlahuacan and Chapala, the four municipalities in which the protected area is situated.
Chapala’s share will go toward two projects. One will focus on training and equipping local tour boat operators to act as Ramsar site nature guides. The other will involve developing two mountain hiking paths with the installation of signposts and wildlife observation stations.