Perception of the population on the role of protected natural area xcacel-xcacelito

Abstract

Natural Protected Areas (NPA´s) are fundamental for the conservation of spaces of importance for biological diversity. Since its inception as NPA by a governmental decree in the year of 1998, Xcacel-Xcacelito has focused its efforts inprotecting the sea turtle, achieving excellent results. However, little is known on the relationship between the NPA with the local population that inhabits its surroundings, whom without any doubt ought to be the main stakeholders in the conservation efforts. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the popular perception on Xcacel-Xcacelito and the role of the NPA through three main aspects: their knowledge of the sea turtle; their use of the beaches at the NPA; and their involvement in the NPA´s activities. Answers of 371 inhabitants surveyed across three localities adjacent to Xcacel-Xcacelito, show that indeed, the NPA, despite its international recognition, is still disconnected from the neighboring population. Along these 18 years, local population barely participates in activities that NPA has promoted, half of the interviewed can’t even name the species protected by NPA.