Abstract

PINKUS RENDON, Manuel Jesús. Política ecológica y ecoturismo. Uso y apropiación de los territorios mayas en Tabasco. Rev. pueblos front. digit. [online]. 2009, vol.4, n.8, pp.127-175. ISSN 1870-4115.  https://doi.org/10.22201/cimsur.18704115e.2009.8.174.

Today it is increasingly difficult to regard nature as an element that is external to and independent from society. Processes such as climate change, deforestation and the loss of biodiversity are some of the signs of human beings’ capacity to alter the dynamics of natural systems. Even more importantly, these processes indicate that what we know as nature may be socially created in both discursive and material terms. This article seeks to reflect on the social and political processes linked to environmental transformations, and on the material and discursive struggles taking place around natural resources in the protected natural area known as Cañón de Usumacinta in the municipality of Tenosique in Tabasco. The inhabitants of this place are of Maya origin and live in a geographical area of enormous natural and cultural richness. They are communities that in one way or another have been affected by globalizing macro-processes through the tourist development programs imposed by the various levels of government. The state government suggests, in its ecological policy, that economic and social development can be achieved by means of sustainable development through ecotourism, regarded as an instrument for combating poverty and raising the population's standard of living. It is nevertheless important to study and evaluate the infrastructure of sites that are being promoted within this activity, and to protect their natural assets, prioritize the social sector and promote greater equity in the profits from tourism in these areas, in order to achieve sustainable development.

Keywords : Sustainable development; ecotourism; ecological policy.

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