higher profits from less wood, created local emplojmient, and was 
instrumental in achieving a better and safer position in the 
national market. 
The ejido also owns a carpenter shop that makes special order 
furniture. 
The challenge now, is cutting and selling the lesser known 
species of soft and hardwoods that are very abundant in the 
forest. New drying kilns and storage warehouses are being built 
for that purpose. It's main objective is to obtain an acceptable 
quality level in the national and foreign markets. The ejido is 
already exporting hardwood boards to England on a small scale. 
The sawmill is being upgraded and training has been more 
intensive to ensure that the quality goal can be met. 
This business development has caused some remarkable effects 
on the ejido. Besides the obvious economic benefits to the communiiy,- 
there is a cultural process going on. A conservationist mentality 
has been reinforced by their business experience, and technical 
forestry is beginning to form an important part in everyday life. 
Since most of the decisions have to be taken by the general 
assembly, which includes all of the ejidatarios, concepts such as 
forestry planning, inventories, management plans, and silviculture 
are now part of the local language. The assembly has a consultancy 
group called “consejo tecnico” that includes the most knowledgeable 
people, experts not only in forestry, but also the best farmers and 
chicleros. This group advises the rest in the management process. 
This is a self nurtured cultural process. The results are evident 
to all the participants in this project. For example; the assembly 
decreed an ecological reserve in the Permanent Forestry Area 
where almost no human activity is allowed. 
This community is an example of the positive effect that 
granting forest management to it's inhabitants has on the future 
preservation. It seems that as long as the forest can produce a 
reasonable economic return, it may be expected that it will 
remain standing. 
This project is not a simple one, it has not been a straightforward 
success. It has had several setbacks and will have problems in the 
future. The forest is by no means “preserved”. As in all human 
activities, there are many risks £ind unpredictable changes in the 
long run, but up to now the peasants have been able to preserve 
their natural equity. 
State of Quintana Roo 
"Chicle" producing ejldcs* 
Northern Quintana l^oo 
Producers grouped in 
"sociedades civiles" 
Nohbec Ejido 
Five year management areas 
