Inhabitants of the Purépecha community of Zirahuén, in Michoacanthey dismantled pumping equipment that was used to irrigate avocado orchards.
The water was illegally stolen from the iconic Zirahuén Lakeso this Monday a group of women decided to go to the premises to confiscate the four bombs with which the attack was carried out. the ‘huachicoleo’ of water.
In a statement issued by the Supreme Indigenous Council, It is argued that they took justice into their own hands because the authorities have not acted against the avocado producers, which is why the Zirahuén community agreed in an assembly to dismantle the irrigation equipment.
Furthermore, the Supreme Council noted that The community members are waiting for police support to prevent water theft from the lake.
The Council considered that the Mexican State does nothing to care for this natural resource.
Purépechas, both from Zirahuén and Pátzcuaro, complained that avocado producers steal water to keep the orchards productive. And they accused the avocado growers of acting with greed due to the high economic value of ‘green gold’.
Those affected also pointed out that Avocado growers earn millions of pesos annuallywhile the lakes are dying from irresponsible looting.
To the rescue of Lake Pátzcuaro
Likewise, this Monday the Secretary of the Navy joined the rescue of Lake Pátzcuaro with equipment and personnel to dredge it at several critical points.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Environment (Secma) intends to decree 33,374 hectares in the basin of the Lake Pátzcuaro as Protected Natural Areas (ANP) as part of actions against drought.
The agency argued that the preservation of these forest areas ensures the ecosystem services they provide, such as the collection of water to recharge the lake.
Besides that soil conservation and reforestation They reduce silt, preventing sediment from reaching the lake.
In this region there are already eight natural areas under some type of protection, which together cover more than 9,700 hectares, of which 5,049 are within the basin, the agency recalled.
Once the rainy season begins, reforestation tasks and soil restoration works will be carried out in specific points of the Lake Pátzcuaro basin, to counteract erosion and silt due to deforestation, one of the main causes of the drought.
