by Nanette Braun

08 March 1998

Bonn, Germany: "Look at this soil - this is fertile ground!" With obvious pride, Juventino Chamala digs his machete into the heavy brown earth. Gone are the times when the whole harvest would be washed off his land in the Cerro San Gil Ecological Reserve in Eastern Guatemala by a sudden downpour of tropical rain - leaving behind an increasingly eroded plot that would nurture less and less crops. Thanks to new methods of cultivation Juventino has preserved the soil - and increased his profit. The training in agricultural techniques was facilitated by FUNDAECO, an environmental NGO which also administers the Ecological Reserve. Working with FUNDAECO for the environmental protection in Cerro San Gil are six National United Nations Volunteers (NUNVs).

Cerro San Gil is the largest remnant of tropical rain forest in Guatemala - a precious natural resource that is on the decline at an alarming speed. It is estimated that between sixty and eighty thousand hectares of forest disappear annually. If this trend is to continue, only two percent of the country will be covered by rain forest in 2010 - as opposed to 75 percent in 1960. The Cerro San Gil Ecological Reserve covers 47,000 hectares, almost a quarter of which is as yet completely untouched. Rising from the Caribbean Coast to lofty heights of jungle-covered mountains, it is the most important watershed for the whole region. Hundreds of species of plants and animals account for an incredible biodiversity; 343 different kinds of birds alone have found a habitat in the lush green canopy of the giant trees.

Yet, it’s not primarily the flora and fauna that have to be taken care of. "In other countries, the United States for example, you have vast National Parks that are completely uninhabited. Not so in Guatemala. Our reserves are populated, so protecting the environment starts with improving the living conditions for the people here", says conservation specialist Oscar Rosales, one of the NUNVs. This is why the work of the National UNVs goes far beyond a traditional perception of natural conservation and places emphasis on education and information: literacy programmes that integrate environmental education provide better job opportunities, workshops facilitate a more profound understanding for the fragile ecological system of the tropical rain forest. A radio programme is broadcast once a week through the local radio station which provides free air time.

It is hands-on knowledge which for many people opens a way a way out of the vicious cycle of poverty and environmental destruction. "Slash and burn technique is traditionally used here to clear land for cultivation. But the soil erodes quickly and barely allows for making a decent living, so larger and larger areas are deforested. Here we can offer alternatives", says Jose Robledo, NUNV in charge of sustainable agriculture and income generation.

Farmer Juventino Chamala is a point in case. Attending workshops in Honduras organised by the FUNDAECO team, he became familiar with a ditch technique that holds back the rain water on the mountainous land and prevents erosion. But the crops have to be carefully selected, too. Until several years ago, Juventino Chamala grew only beans; nowadays trees like the fast-growing madrecacao and caova are planted in rows which run horizontally across his steep site. Not only does the lumber wood fetch a good price; the trees are also a natural barrier against erosion and shelter the smaller crops. In addition, madrecacao fixes nitrogen and fertilises the soil. Chilli peppers are used to produce an organic herbicide - a cheap and environmentally friendly solution. Fruit trees and pineapples add to the variety of products that Juventino can sell on the market: his profit has doubled since. For others, worms have proven to possess a surprising income generating quality. Victor Guillen has significantly increased his tomato harvest since he started to produce worm-composted fertiliser.

As the head promoter for agricultural techniques, Juventino Chamala is part of a widespread network of local people who see to it that know-how and information are being shared with their neighbours in the communities. Sometimes, this has literally become a family-business, like for the Sintuj’s: father Francesco is involved in environmental education, daughter Anna teaches literacy classes, mother Rafaela alerts women in the community to the issues at stake. "Women are particularly perceptive when it comes to environmental concerns. After all, they are the main suppliers of water and firewood for the families, they know about medical plants and fruits." Gender sensitisation is the task of National UNV Luis Daniel Leon, an aspect to which the FUNDAECO team pays special attention. He is pleased to see that literacy classes are by now increasingly frequented by women and that alternative sources of income, such as kitchen gardening, become more and more popular. "But even more than that it’s women’s growing involvement when it comes to making decisions within the communities", he says.

Getting the people on board accounts for the success of the team’s approach. For eight years, FUNDAECO has worked in Cerro San Gil, aiming at turning the area officially into a protected zone. It was only last December that they could celebrate their success when the Guatemalan Congress by decree declared it an Ecological Reserve. Without the strong support from the communities that the NGO managed to mobilise this would have never been possible. "We can say that 50 percent of the population in Cerro San Gil are now really responsive", says NUNV Eduardo Aguilar, who develops the environmental education programmes. "It’s the only way to really achieve something. After all, we don’t want to be a kind of police, imposing environmental laws on the people - we want to work together with them".