By: Elio Henríquez, Correspondent

San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas

With a march in which dozens of people, the General Council for the southern zone initiated a national and international campaign in defense of the San Cristóbal wetlands, which encompass some 200 hectares and are protected by official decrees.

Nicolás Gómez Velasco, one of the representatives of the grouping, explained that as part of the Let’s Save the Mountain Wetlands of the Jovel Valley, which began this past Sunday and will end April 22, Earth Day, they will carry out artistic, cultural and popular environmental and agroecology educational activities in different districts of the city.

He explained that the first action was the march-pilgrimage yesterday, in the Las Minas neighborhood, as well as a traditional ceremony at the Navajuelos spring, located in the wetlands of María Eugenia.

In a statement, the council, made up of 14 neighborhoods, called on the inhabitants of the city to “take photographs and videos of each dump truck, landfill and construction that destroys mountain wetlands to report them to the State Attorney General’s Office.”

Gómez Velasco said in an interview that as part of the defense actions, they created Las Minas, a sustainable colony that has community gardens. In addition, they have carried out reforestation campaigns (last year they planted more than a thousand endemic trees in the wetland area) and a rainwater collection tank was built, among other actions.

He said: “we seek that agroecology is the element of unity to defend wetlands, as well as food sovereignty through the creation of gardens, compost, chicken coops, cleaning campaigns, etc.”

Photo exhibitions will also be presented, films will be shown, and there will be cultural and sporting events.

Originally Published in Spanish by La Jornada, Monday, February 6, 2023, https://www.jornada.com.mx/2023/02/06/estados/026n4est and Re-Published with English interpretation by the Chiapas Support Committee