Where it is about more than a butterfly
The El Rosario sanctuary is part of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage since 2008. The sanctuary has a high concentration of butterflies and more than half of overwintering colonies of the monarch butterfly’s eastern population are found in these specific areas of Mexico.
Loss of habitat, especially the milkweed where the monarchs lay their eggs, pesticide and herbicide use, as well climate change are posing threats to the species
With crime as a background
Mexican environmental authorities continue to monitor illegal logging of the oyamel trees and avocado farms.
The Michoacán state is infamous for the violence surrounding the control of its lucrative billion dollars avocato industry. It is also known for its opium and marijuana production and the playground of a war between self-defense groups and the bloody Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel (CJNG). 2019 was the bloodiest year in the recent history of that State, according to the Ministry of Public Security recording 1,465 murders.
The death of butterfly activist Homero Gomez
Relatives told local media that the conservationist had received threats from an organised crime gang.
It is in this context of violence and crime that Homero Gómez González worked and promoted the reforestation and preservation of the forest for the monarch butterly. He opened a sanctuary in November as part of a strategy to stop illegal logging in the area, which is a key habitat for the monarch butterfly.
Before its disappearance he invitied people to visit the sanctuary through social media. His body was found in a well on January 29th.
Raul Hernandez, a tour guide in the reserve was also found dead within the same week. This is an indicator of the hostility faced by conservationist or anyone trying to work against the business interets or criminal organization. It also reveal the principal flaw of Mexico which is the impunity of the perpetrators and the failure of the government to protect its citizens.
What will happen to the rural community after the death of this two men? For the time being no one has taken over its role. Wishing that his activism will not go to waste, it is wiser to wonder if the broader issue of insecurity will ever be resolved.
The prevalent issue of insecurity and crime
The Mexican authorities recognized that an illegal economy is developed in the sanctuary area based on the extraction of natural resources.
Mexico closed 2019 with more than 35,000 homicide and registers 150 000 deaths since 2006 due to organized criminal violence.
Overbooked by Moss 
Laisser un commentaire