Section of the Chapala-Jocotepec highway at Nextipac, where neighbors say ficus trees are slated for removal. Photo: Héctor Ruiz.

Héctor Ruiz Mejía (Jocotepec).- At least seven trees are in danger of being cut down, according to residents of the community of Nextipac, in Jocotepec.

Large trees of the species ficus carica, or fig tree, have been marked for removal by presumed workers of the Secretariat of Infrastructure and Public Works (SIOP) as part of the construction of the bicycle path connecting the municipality of Jocotepec with Chapala. According to the neighbors, such an action «would be a great loss because they [the trees] have been here for years and are important for all the neighbors.» 

The residents also said that proposals have been presented to prevent the seven trees, each about 8 meters tall and 15 years old, from being removed, but no dialogue between the community and the alleged SIOP workers has yet occurred.

«We do not agree that these trees should be cut down; birds and animals inhabit them, and in addition they provide shade…we do not know what we are going to do if they are removed,» commented the opposing parties.

However, officials from SIOP assured residents  that this was not the final  project design. During the  community meetings  on that section,  at the intersection of Libertad and 16 de Septiembre streets, by the soccer field, SIOP personnel had said that the trees would not be cut down.  

Nevertheless, a little more than a week ago, the same SIOP personnel marked with a white line (which was erased after the rains) the route where part of the bicycle path should run and where the trees were ordered to be cut down.

Also, the neighbors stated that they have asked for help from the Directorate of Ecology and Environmental Protection of Jocotepec; however, according to Daniel Alejandro Garabito Espinoza, director of the agency, little can be done.

The official explained that this is a state-level issue and the only way to solve this matter is to reach a direct agreement between the neighbors and SIOP. «It is up to them to decide whether or not they want the trees to be cut down.»

The community complainants stated that they will not allow the trees to be uprooted «under any circumstances,» and they hope that a dialogue between the state and the citizens can be opened.