ABSTRACT
Since 1994, an estimated 100,000 hectares of tropical forests had been lost in Chiapas, including parts of the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve. Furthermore, deforestation in the communities surrounding protected areas has put increased pressure on the reserves. As a result, it is becoming clear to many within the conservation community that management plans for protected areas in the Selva Lacandona must address the social struggles of the region's residents if they are to succeed. Consequently, a gradual reorientation of conservation strategies is underway, with the outcome as yet to be determined. The management of forests in the Selva Lacandona has been of vital interest to the conservation community, often resulting in a frustrating struggle to influence state and national policies. The environmental community has increasingly recognized the importance of including local people in conservation plans. Ecotourism is considered by many to offer the greatest potential for sustainable development in the Selva Lacandona region.
