THE Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve is unique in western Mexico for the richness of its biodiversity, boasting some 2700 species of plant, 560 of wildlife and a third of the country’s native birds. It is also home to 30,000 very poor people, with no access to mains electricity or running water. The challenge for Mexico’s authorities is how to improve the quality of life for these people without destroying the forest in which they live – a dilemma that is repeated in various guises across the world.
Sergio Graf, an advisor to Mexico’s environment ministry, has a solution.…
