At kilometer 21 along the Tuxtla Gutiérrez–San Cristóbal de Las Casas highway, we are working with four community members from Chiquinivalvó, Zinacantán, to restore soil, vegetation, and water resources on their plots. The plots at Km 21 are located on steep slopes with severe erosion, exposing sedimentary limestone bedrock and resulting in human-induced desertification. Maize and rainfed beans are cultivated in this area using the slash-and-burn practice. However, due to the degraded soil conditions, crop productivity is low, with a high dependence on agrochemicals. The plots are also highly vulnerable to drought and wildfires during the dry season.

Through the Sponge Territory project, we formed a working group with the landowners to restore the environment through soil retention structures and natural and assisted revegetation. These actions will help improve water infiltration and promote the regeneration of these degraded soils.

Theoretical and practical training on the construction and use of “A” and “O” frames, tools accessible to the local population for calculating land slope and marking contour lines.