Report of the August 28th, 2008 meeting
On Thursday evening, August 28th, the newly-formed organization Emerge Bak’halal (which is in the process of applying for Mexican non-profit status) sponsored an informational and fund-raising gathering at Rancho Encantado. The event focused on Laguna Bacalar as a natural resource, the importance of preserving that resource for future generations, and how to make sustainability the backbone of the Bacalar Pueblo Magico program. Running from 5:30 until 8:30, the meeting was attended by over 70 Bacalareños and included presentations by Mexican conservation professional Dr. Jorge Chavez and American fresh-water scientist Dr. Jerry Kaster.
Members of Fundación Emerge Bak’halal Board of Directors described the mission: 1) to improve the quality of life, especially for indigenous and vulnerable citizens; 2) to increase investment in Bacalar; to promote ecological practices and monitor results; 3) to preserve the beauty and cultural legacy of the Maya; and 4) to create a more sane, integrated, happy and productive Bacalar community. The activities of the foundation will focus on five areas: health, ecology, nutrition, education and culture, with a committee of interested members for each focus area.
The Ecology committee worked with Dr. Chavez to help explore how to incorporate sustainability into the Bacalar Pueblo Magico program, and he presented background information on global ecological changes as well as highlighting some of the important areas of focus for Laguna Bacalar as it explores the type of constraints sustainability implies. Dr. Chavez noted that the United Nations defines resource sustainability as use that avoids any degradation in the ability of next generations to live, work and play – in this case – in and around Laguna Bacalar.
By chance, Dr. Jerry Kaster, a fresh-water scientist who is studying Laguna Bacalar and has been in discussion with the foundation, was available to attend this meeting. Dr. Kaster made a short presentation highlighting the unique geological, chemical and biological aspects of the lake and offered the conclusion that Laguna Bacalar is sufficiently unique to be considered a world-class freshwater lake worthy of international recognition and protection. He and other scientists will return this January for a Symposium on the lake.
During the early weeks of September, the Emerge Bak’halal group met a number of times to clarify goals and vision, to address administrative roles and responsibilities, and to identify short-term activities that are critical to the protection of the lake’s ecological system and the development of informed local support for the group’s activities to protect the lake and promote appropriate econcomic development of the community.
An effort is underway in September and October to identify all of Laguna Bacalar’s regional, state, and national stakeholders and points of contact for each, and also to ascertain the current policies and planned activities of all stakeholders. Informational resources, background studies on the lake, and academic sources of historical or technical data are also being identified and the information collected, reviewed, catalogued and, where possible, made available to any interested party.
Emerge Bak’halal is also working closely with regional conservation groups, independent professionals, and governmental agencies to identify a cadre of willing experts who can advise the group on the development of policy and projects as the foundation moves forward in its activities and receives formal non-profit status. At this date, the group reports that all materials for the incorporation and non-profit filing have been prepared and submitted and the organization’s working groups are focusing on immediate tasks, recruiting new members, and planning longer-range activities.
by Scott Wallace
