In an effort to protect the local flora and fauna, the Mexican government declared the Nevado de Toluca volcano located in the state of Mexico to be a protection area. Unfortunately, this resulted in an increase in deforestation in the area, which resulted in a decrease in the average water storage from 37.7% to 60.5%. This loss of water posed a threat to the Balsas hydrological region. In order to mitigate this, the government has taken steps to try to recover the lost forest mass. This is important as it will bring a variety of benefits to the local ecosystem, such as improved water retention, better air quality, and an increase in biodiversity. It will also create a habitat for numerous animals, plants, and insects, helping to ensure the long-term sustainability of the area. Additionally, restoring the local forest will help to address climate change, as trees are an important part of the global carbon cycle. All in all, the Mexican government’s efforts to protect the Nevado de Toluca volcano will have a positive impact on the local environment and its inhabitants.

This reforestation project in the Xinantécatl (Nevado de Toluca) is designed to provide economic support to the local community while also helping to improve the water supply to the metropolitan area of the Valley of Mexico. The Cutzamala System was built to provide up to 40 percent of the drinking water to the metropolitan area, with 22 million inhabitants. Unfortunately, the National Committee for Large Dams reported an average storage of 37.7 percent in its El Bosque, Valle de Bravo and Villa Victoria reservoirs, the lowest in recent decades. To address this, the project aims to increase forest mass, which will help retain the water that feeds the Balsas hydrological region. By doing so, the project will help to ensure a reliable and sufficient water supply for the region, while providing economic support to the local community via payments for their work in the reforestation efforts.