Metamorphosis of the contemporary Mexican forest policy and its impact on the forest sector

Abstract

Mexico is a nation endowed with a rich and diversified forest resource. This natural capital has been heavily exploited for long time. In 1926, a first forest law was decreed. Its main purpose was the preservation and protection of the forests. After this first forest legislation, seven more forest laws have been decreed in response to the evolution of society and the evolving perspective of the forest resource importance along the years. The most relevant policies have been: (a) Resource conservation; (b) Forest industry promotion; (c) Rural population and forest community development; and (d) Forest sustainable development. In the nation, every six years -the presidential period duration- a different forest policy is applied. Every federal government elaborates and implements a new National Plan for Development, which in turn, defines new sectorial public policies, as is the case of the forest sector. Since last and current century, 18 federal governments have established strategies for the preservation, management and use of the forest ecosystems. A historic analysis of applied public policies on forestry issues reveals fluctuations in objectives, priorities and implementation schemes. An assessment of policy results, based on the components effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability, provides evidence of limited achievements from the environmental, social and economic perspectives. Long run planning and effective policies are needed to face present and future challenges.