Economic potential of Guatemala’s non-timber forest products

Antonio Ordoñez

Seeds from the breadnut fruit, leaves from the xate ornamental palm and chicle (a natural gum) are just some of the products harvested by members of Guatemala’s National Alliance of Community Forest Organizations (the ‘Alianza’) as an economic forest management alternative to the timber trade. Growing Forest Partnerships has supported the creation and the ongoing work of the Alianza.

These projects are located in the multiple-use area of the Mayan Biosphere Reservation, which covers an area of 848,000 hectares. It is the only place where the forests of Petén can be used sustainably.

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The ‘Forest voices’ series aims, through the work of local journalists, to provide insight into the forestry context in each of these countries and illustrate how locally controlled forestry and partnerships are working in practice on the ground.