De la « zona del silencio » à la « Reserva de Biosfera de Mapimi » Exemple de discours et pratiques de conservation au Mexique

Abstract

This contribution proposes to study the "arrangements" linked to the articulation of the processes of conservation and globalization in the particular case of one of the first biosphere reserves of Latin America and the first Mexican biosphere reserve, which is emblematic of a ‘win-win’ model. The analysis of the conditions of emergence of this reserve and the study of the experience of the inhabitants makes it possible to show that if for some inhabitants, the RBM represents a resource by enhancing opportunities of valorising the activities of all the families, for other inhabitants it limits their activities and their projects: the development of mining activities is restricted, for example, while ore mining is of historical importance and highly valued in the region. Paradoxically, the conservation provided by the regulation of space could help to obscure external stakes that could endanger the biodiversity that we want to protect.

Keywords

• Biosphere reserve
• Environmental resources
• Win-win discourse
• Arrangements
• Relational approach
• Mexico