In 2009, Lake Chapala was designated as a wetlands site of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
To this day, Mexico’s largest lake is still faced with serious problems concerning its water quality, desiccation from drought, environmental services provided to its watershed, and capacity to supply water to the Guadalajara metropolitan area.
The combination of lower volume, rising temperatures, and accumulations of excess nutrients is causing the proliferation of microscopic algae along the shoreline that turns the water green, creates noxious odors and endangers fish and other species living in the ecosystem.
In efforts to address these and other related issues, the non-profit Instituto Corazón de la Tierra, A.C. (ICT) marked February 2 International Wetlands Day with the launch of a month-long calendar of activities to raise greater public awareness about the conditions of Lake Chapala and conservation challenges that lie ahead.
Tied together with the slogan “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing,” the program kicked off with a conference held at Ajijic’s Hotel Real. The event featured presentations on academic research being carried out at the University of Guadalajara (UdeG).
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