The municipality of Jocotepec hosted three days of special activities focused on environmental themes in commemoration of World Wetlands Day and the tenth anniversary of Lake Chapala’s designation as a Ramsar wetlands site.
The program of free events held February 3 through 5 under the banner Festival del Lago was sponsored by Jalisco’s Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development (Semadet) and the Intermunicipal Association for the Protection of the Environment and Sustainable Development (Aipromades), in collaboration with the University of Guadalajara’s Costa Sur campus, Lake Chapala Birders and the Jocotepec government.
The agenda of recreational, cultural and scientific happenings included community participation in a clean-up of aquatic weeds at the waterfront malecón, guided wild bird observation excursions, exhibitions related to flora and fauna, astronomic phenomena and local scenery, and panel discussions on regional life and livelihoods.
A theatrical show highlighted lakeshore history and legends while an educational workshop for children concentrated on conservation of water resources.
The Ramsar Convention is named after the city in Iran where an international treaty was signed in 1971 to encourage the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands of international importance, especially as waterfowl habitat. Lake Chapala is recognized as one of 142 Ramsar sites in Mexican territory and 13 in the state of Jalisco.