ARCAS GuatemalaPut Your Drop of Water! was the theme of the event held at Yaxha – Nakum – Naranjo National Park. This activity aimed to raise awareness among primary and secondary school students. In addition to students, parents, teachers, and tour guides attended, with approximately 1,000 people participating.
This initiative, spearheaded by CONAP, the Ministry of Culture and Sports, and Asodesty, has been ongoing for over 15 years. It brings together more than 14 communities surrounding the park, including schools from the urban area of the Municipality of Melchor de Mencos, which borders the Naranjo Archaeological Center.
Community guides played a significant role in the event, explaining the natural and cultural components of the area to various groups, along with actions for its protection, conservation, and sustainable use. Students also gave presentations, participated in demonstrative activities, and went on tours, among other activities.
Support came from Asodesty, Calmecac, ARCAS, and WCS, with logistical support from the municipalities of Flores and Melchor de Mencos, the Forest Fire Unit of CONAP Petén, community guides, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, AMPI, and Rainforest Alliance.
The Yaxha – Nakúm – Naranjo National Park (PNYNN) was declared a protected area under Decree No. 55-2003 by the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala. This zone, comprising the Yaxha, Nakum, and Naranjo archaeological sites, is within the Core Zone of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, covering the territorial space of the municipalities of Flores and Melchor de Mencos in the department of Petén. It is an exceptional site, a refuge that combines biodiversity with pre-Hispanic cultural heritage, featuring two impressive lagoons, Yaxha and Sacnab. It is considered a RAMSAR site, a wetland of international importance. The lagoons can be seen from the tops of several archaeological monuments, giving the area a unique scenic beauty.
The creation of the park has allowed communities to benefit. According to Article No. 3, section d), it provides opportunities for surrounding communities to obtain economic alternatives through goods and services (ecotourism, handicrafts, food, employment, forest rangers, etc.) in the park and its area of influence as an alternative for local development, utilizing the commercial and restaurant area of the Visitor Center.
Following this, the Association of Organizations for the Development of the Yaxha Territory (ASODESTY) was formed. Through a cooperation agreement with CONAP and the Ministry of Culture, a temporary mechanism for providing tourist services was established. This constitutes a unique model for managing protected areas that aims to ensure local communities receive tangible benefits from conservation. Funds collected from visitor entry fees to the park are invested in strengthening the integral development of the region, benefiting the immediate influence communities and conserving natural and cultural heritage.
As part of this process, investments have been made to develop sustainable tourism with community inclusion, prioritizing the participation of communities in conserving cultural and natural heritage. Since 2011, local capacity-building has been implemented, integrating the seven aforementioned community organizations that provide services to the tourism value chain.
Only through education will change be achieved in the present and future generations.