Territorial conflict, ecotourism and poaching: the overlapping of territorial boundaries in the Balam-Ku Protected Natural Area

Territorial conflict and the process of resistance of an Ecotourism cooperative of the ejido Silvituc, Campeche, Mexico, to intrusion of poachers and the irregularity of a UMA on their lands of common use, located within the protected natural area of Balam-Ku. are analysed in this article. The application of interviews, surveys, photographic evidence and GPS recording of the sites, were used to define the various different social agents, interests and appropriations of the territory. The overlap of conservation/extraction activities in the same spaces of fauna resources, has led to hunting pressure and conflict due to the lack of institutional regulation. It is recommended to support this type of local organization that resists and preserves their natural resources with their permanent presence through the active participation of the State, the ejido and the academy, for the conservation, surveillance and regulation of access and use of the zone.