Social entrepreneurship in the area of protection of flora and fauna Usumacinta canyon in Mexico

Abstract

Natural protected areas are lands designated for the conservation of ecosystems; they presuppose its non-alteration. In Mexico, zones declared as natural protected areas had the presence of communities residing and using the natural resources of the place, which presents the challenge of moving towards activities that meet the needs of the communities and preserve the natural area. In this context, social entrepreneurship is an alternative conciliation. The objective of this work is to identify the results of social entrepreneurship projects carried out in natural protected areas. Aimed at this, the case of honey Melipona project developed in the Alvaro Obregon "Ejido" (communal land used for agriculture) belonging to the Flora and Fauna Protected Area of the Usumacinta Canyon, Tabasco, Mexico, is taken. The study is qualitative exploratory, based on observing in situ and applying not-structured interviews. Finding that the project, in addition to promoting economic benefits and preserving the natural area, it is favoring the modification of the ancient community's customs and habits to break the paradigm of the role of women in the ejido.