The Voices of Chichinautzin

This is the story of Chichinautzin, a natural protected area on the southern border of Mexico City. Supported by local scientists and park rangers, the people of the Chichinautzin risk their lives to protect their biodiverse forests from illegal logging armed gangs and strong development pressures. In an increasingly urbanized world, how can this region and its people survive against the growing hunger for space and natural resources?

The Chichmautzin Biological Corridor is located in the Sierra Norte in the state of Morelos, in the region south of the Federal District and southeast of the state of Mexico. It was created in 1988 as a biological corridor to connect Lagunas de Zempoala and El Tepozteco National Parks.

These parks were created in 1947 and 1937 respectively. Chichinautzin was also established to: (1) secure the biological processes and evolutions in the zone; and (2) to form a natural greenbelt boundary for the population growth of the Federal District and the city of Cuernavaca. The biological corridor itself is 37,302 hectares, but also incorporates Laguna de Zempoala National Park (4,790 hectares) and El Tepozteco Park (24,000 hectares). In this way, the total area of protected by the corridor and two national parks is 66,092 hectares. This region is important for rainwater filtration and is a very important factor improving air quality of the states of Morelos and the Federal District (Mexico City).