| DEFENSORES DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE DE LOS TUXTLAS, A. C. ecological activism SAVE LAKE CATEMACO |
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| AGENDA 21 PARA CATEMACO Programa Agenda 21 is a United Nations program promoting sustainable growth and incorporating actions designed to be undertaken on worldwide, national, and local levels by UN organizations, governments of member states, and by individual groups in areas effected by human environmental impact. The organizations of the forum" Salvemos el Lago Catemaco" thank www.catemaco.info for the publication within its website Agenda 21 para Catemaco |
| 5th Reunion: Forum "Salvemos el Lago Catemaco" (Save Lake Catemaco) August 21, 2010 |
Only 17 people participated in the reunion, including representatives of the
tourist industry, civic associations, academic institutions, medias of
communication, and representatives of the Catemaco Municipal President Elect
(2011-2013) ------ .
Themes covered were:
• Rules applied to following reunions
• Agreement to publish "Agenda 21 en Catemaco" in www.dematac.org and
www.catemaco.info
• Creation of a proposal for the application of "Agenda 21 en Catemaco" in
January, 2011 for presentation to the Catemaco President Elect.
tourist industry, civic associations, academic institutions, medias of
communication, and representatives of the Catemaco Municipal President Elect
(2011-2013) ------ .
Themes covered were:
• Rules applied to following reunions
• Agreement to publish "Agenda 21 en Catemaco" in www.dematac.org and
www.catemaco.info
• Creation of a proposal for the application of "Agenda 21 en Catemaco" in
January, 2011 for presentation to the Catemaco President Elect.
During the reunion, representatives of the Catemaco President Elect expressed interest in supporting the actions and activities of
the Forum " Salvemos el Lago de Catemaco"; and indicated that the President Elect is agreeable to the initiation of "Agenda 21
para Catemaco".
the Forum " Salvemos el Lago de Catemaco"; and indicated that the President Elect is agreeable to the initiation of "Agenda 21
para Catemaco".
| Reunions Continue Regarding forum: “Salvemos el Lago de Catemaco” (Save Lake Catemaco) June 19, 2010 The theme of the most recent reunion was "Sustainable Tourism in Catemaco", and presented "Programa Agenda 21", which it is hoped will be of help in resolving the contamination problem in Lake Catemaco, provided that it is implemented adequately by Catemaco's municipal government. |
| Programa 21 is a United Nations (UN) program for the promotion of sustainable growth in areas related to environmental and ecological concern. It is a detailed plan of procedures that must be undertaken on international, national, and local levels by UN entities, by governments of member states, and by individual groups in all areas where human impact affects the environment. La Secretaría de Turismo (Mexican Secretary of Tourism) heads Programa Agenda 21 for Mexican tourism, proposing that it be considered fundamental in its work; along with the three levels of government, the tourist industry, education, NGOs and the general public; to improve the growth and conditions of life in tourist related areas In its role as promoter and coordinator of federal aid for the application of Agenda 21, the federal government, through the Secretaría de Turismo, published a document outlining guidelines for action to guarantee sustainable growth of tourism in our country. 200 were invited to this reunion, held in the Hotel Las Brisas in Catemaco; including fishermen, hotel owners and operators, restaurateurs, businessmen and motor launch owners and operators from the municipality of Catemaco. Unfortunately, only 20 individuals attended - 10%. The majority of the attendees were hotel owners and operators, NGO representatives (DEMATAC), and a few businessmen. On June 26, 2010 at 5:00 p. m. another reunion will be held for the purpose of advancing the work related to Lake Catemaco, and to solicit the support of local political candidates, with the goal that those who are elected will apply the program Agenda 21. |
| First Forum "Salvamos el Lago de Catemaco" (Save Lake Catemaco) April 23, 2010 SEMARNAT, CONAFOR, CONAPESCA, UNAM y La Reserva de la Biosfera – Los Tuxtlas, plus service oriented businesses, fishing associations, and the civil associations CEATUX and DEMATAC attended the first forum to deal with the problems facing Lake Catemaco. The forum was held in the Salón de Eventos at the Hotel La Brisas, from approximately 8:30 a. m. until 3:00 p. m. The problems facing Lake Catemaco were presented and discussed. The forum participants divided into six committees, each related to one of the six principal themes: Fishing Public Service and Infrastructure Urban and Touristic Activities Agricultural Activities Restoration and Conservation of Basins and Catchment Areas Public Water Use and Environmental Services The object of each committee is to explain the problems and the proposed solutions to be applied in the coming years to improve the condition of the lake. The next reunion is scheduled for 9:00 a. m. Thursday, June 5, 2010 in the Salón de Eventos, Hotel Las Brisas, with the objective of monitoring the activities determined in the first forum and to initiate the labors for the conservation and recuperation of Lake Catemaco. |
| Photos: Lic. Jessica Hitandegüi Swanson Santiago |
The failure of the invited organizers of this forum to attend demonstrates their lack of interest. In addition, in previous reunions,
these same "organizers" have arrived up to 45 minutes late. This is indicative of lack of interest of the very institutions that are
supposedly "concerned" about the conservation of natural resources. If this is their attitude, what may we expect from the
fishermen, hotel and restaurant owners, municipal government, and local residents?
NOTE: La Reserva de la Biosfera - Los Tuxtlas (RBLT) has changed the date of the next reunion for the organization of the forum
"Salvemos al Lago Catemaco" to April 12 at 5:00 p.m. in the Sala de Juntas RBLT, and the date of the forum to April 23 in the
Salón de Eventos del Hotel Las Brisas. We will publish more information as it becomes available. All interested parties are invited
to both the reunion and the forum.
these same "organizers" have arrived up to 45 minutes late. This is indicative of lack of interest of the very institutions that are
supposedly "concerned" about the conservation of natural resources. If this is their attitude, what may we expect from the
fishermen, hotel and restaurant owners, municipal government, and local residents?
NOTE: La Reserva de la Biosfera - Los Tuxtlas (RBLT) has changed the date of the next reunion for the organization of the forum
"Salvemos al Lago Catemaco" to April 12 at 5:00 p.m. in the Sala de Juntas RBLT, and the date of the forum to April 23 in the
Salón de Eventos del Hotel Las Brisas. We will publish more information as it becomes available. All interested parties are invited
to both the reunion and the forum.
| Reunion: Forum "Salvemos al Lago Catemaco" (Save Lake Catemaco) february 23, 2010 |
The forth reunion was held to organize the forum: “Salvemos al Lago Catemaco”,
which was initiated by DEMATAC after learning of the studies by the Universidad
Autónoma Metropolitana Xochimilco regarding contamination of Lake
Catemaco.
The reunion was only attended by DEMATAC representatives Lic. Jessica
Hitandegüi Swanson Santiago and Eduardo Alvarez Ríos, meeting with Ing.
Escobar, Director of the Reserva de la Biosfera - Los Tuxtlas and his secretary.
The failure to attend of the other organisers made it necessary to postpone the
meeting until March 1st at the same time (5:00 p.m.) in the Sala de Juntas of the
Reserva.
which was initiated by DEMATAC after learning of the studies by the Universidad
Autónoma Metropolitana Xochimilco regarding contamination of Lake
Catemaco.
The reunion was only attended by DEMATAC representatives Lic. Jessica
Hitandegüi Swanson Santiago and Eduardo Alvarez Ríos, meeting with Ing.
Escobar, Director of the Reserva de la Biosfera - Los Tuxtlas and his secretary.
The failure to attend of the other organisers made it necessary to postpone the
meeting until March 1st at the same time (5:00 p.m.) in the Sala de Juntas of the
Reserva.
| First Reunion for the Organization of The Forum on Lake Catemaco December 4, 2009 |
| The first reunion to organize the "Foro Sobre el Lago Catemaco" (Forum On Lake Catemaco), regarding problems affecting the lake, was held in the installations of La Casa de Los Tesoros, Catemaco, Veracruz, Mexico. Attending the reunion were personnel from: La Reserva de la Biosfera – los Tuxtlas, CONFOR, SEDARPA, SENDAS, A. C., Selva del Toztlan and DEMATAC. Points covered: • Invitation list for the Forum • Dates of forum • Themes to be covered in relation to Lake Catemaco At the months end another reunion will be held to further organize this forum. |
| 6th Reunion: Forum "Save Lake Catemaco" Theme: Environment September 27, 2010 |
The reunion included representatives from:
TOXTLAN, A. C.
DEMATAC
COLVER
CONAFOR
Nanciyaga
Hotel Koniapan
Representante de los lancheros
Hotel Las Brisas
TOXTLAN, A. C.
DEMATAC
COLVER
CONAFOR
Nanciyaga
Hotel Koniapan
Representante de los lancheros
Hotel Las Brisas
The reunion revolved around the theme: environment, based on the analysis prepared by Agenda 21 para Catemaco, and
covered the following:
Defining the problem: raw sewage
Identifying causes:
*Drainage system in very poor condition (Insufficient, in some places non-existent, out of date)
*Improper use of drainage system
*No organization for urban growth
*Lack of environmental education
Consequences:
*Contamination of bodies of water
*Spread of disease
*Negative image for tourism and municipal economy
*Destruction of aquatic flora and fauna
*Negative impact on fishing
*Prevents public use of Lake Catemaco for recreation
*Spread of infection and plagues
Plans to continue with the analysis to further determine indicators, causes, and ultimately the strategies, actions,
recommendations and objectives to resolve the problem of raw sewage in Catemaco.
The next reunion is scheduled of October 21, 2010. The focus will be on tourism, with the object of creating a plan for
presentation to the president elect, Eliuth Cervantes.
covered the following:
Defining the problem: raw sewage
Identifying causes:
*Drainage system in very poor condition (Insufficient, in some places non-existent, out of date)
*Improper use of drainage system
*No organization for urban growth
*Lack of environmental education
Consequences:
*Contamination of bodies of water
*Spread of disease
*Negative image for tourism and municipal economy
*Destruction of aquatic flora and fauna
*Negative impact on fishing
*Prevents public use of Lake Catemaco for recreation
*Spread of infection and plagues
Plans to continue with the analysis to further determine indicators, causes, and ultimately the strategies, actions,
recommendations and objectives to resolve the problem of raw sewage in Catemaco.
The next reunion is scheduled of October 21, 2010. The focus will be on tourism, with the object of creating a plan for
presentation to the president elect, Eliuth Cervantes.
| 7th Reunion on Work Related to the Forum "Save Lake Catemaco" Board Group: Environment October 18, 2010 We continued to analyze related environmental problems, specifically solid waste management. A reunion has been scheduled for Monday, October 25, 2010, with Biol. Francisco Gómez Marín, representative of UNAM and the civil association “Selva del Toxtlan”, the director of TSU (Técnico Superior Universitario en Manejo de Vida Silvestre, de la UV en Catemaco), and Lic. Jessica Swanson, president of DEMATAC, in “La Casa de Los Tesoros” in Catemaco, to finalize analysis of the environmental problem in Catemaco according to Agenda 21 (Air and Urban Growth) and the analysis of the theme: Urban Growth; for presentation in the next reunion of the forum. Analysis by the board group on environment has taken considerable time due to the importance and complexity of the issue. On November 8, 2010 the 8th Forum reunion will be held at Hotel Las Brisas at 4:00 p.m. In this reunion we plan to discuss socioeconomic and tourism factors, as well as urban growth. After final analysis of the four themes dealt with by Agenda 21 for Catemaco, a proposal will be prepared for presentation to Catemaco Municipal President Elect Eliuth Cervantes, with the object that Agenda 21 principles be applied in Catemaco for the promotion of sustainability in tourism. |
| LAKE CATEMACO SPARKS INTERNATIONAL INTEREST External Reunion: Forum "Save Lake Catemaco" Theme: Environment October 25 , 2010 |
| Johanna Lein, from Greifswald University in Greidfswald, Germany; Montse Franquesa Soler and Itsaso Vélez del Burgo, students at the University of Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain, participated with Biologist Francisco Gómez Luna and Lic. Jessica Swanson of DEMATAC, in an external reunion held in La Casa de Los Tesoros, Catemaco, Veracruz. The objective of the meeting was the analysis of environmental problems relating to Agenda 21 para Catemaco and lasted approximately three hours. In the next reunion, on November 8, 2010 in the Hotel las Brisas, Catemaco, Veracruz at 04:00 p.m., we'll present the results of this analysis to all participants for agreement on future actions. |
| November 8, 2010 Unfortunately the attendance was not sufficient to warrant holding the reunion. Those of us who did attend decided to finish the work on an individual basis and email the results to the participants who were unable to attend; for the purpose presenting our proposals to the President Elect of Catemaco, Eliuth Cervantes. Attendees: Municipal Government 2011-2013 (Teresa Moreno G. & David Hernández Brizuela) Nanciyaga Hotel Las Brisas (Agustín Moreno) DEMATAC (Jessica Swanson) In the next reunion, to beheld in the coming days, we hope that we can count on 100% attendance of those involved in this project for the conservation and protection of Lake Catemaco; as well as Agenda 21 para Catemaco. |