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WATER COOPERATION, SUSTAINABILITY AND POVERTY ERADICATIONEnvironmental rehabilitation of theLake Pátzcuaro watershed, Michoacán, MexicoMiguel A. Córdova, Appropriate and Industrial Technology Subdivision Head, Mexican Institute of Water Technologyand Ramón Pérez Gil Salcido, Director, Water Program, Gonzalo Río Arronte FoundationWith water as its pivotal element, a comprehensiveprogramme was developed to establish a basis forattaining the sustainable development of the LakePátzcuaro watershed.The programme’s main goals are:• enhancing and promoting environmental awareness and cultureamong the watershed’s inhabitants• seeking consensus regarding the main problems and their solutions• increasing the knowledge of natural resources availability and use• establishing criteria for prioritizing actions• performing and promoting the execution of projects andstructural works that generate tangible benefits for the watershedand its communities• managing and channelling investments to ensure the sustainabilityof the environmental rehabilitation process.In order to achieve this, it was necessary to define and implement astrategic plan based on the identification, prioritization and executionof actions agreed on by the different stakeholders.The Lake Pátzcuaro watershed is located in the state ofMichoacán, Mexico. It is a closed basin, with an area of 929km 2 . Altitudes range from 2,035 to 3,300 metres above sealevel (masl), with an average altitude of 2,369 masl. Meanprecipitation in the area is 775 mm, while mean evaporationis 1,393 mm. The lake covers an area of 126.4 km 2 andhas an average depth of 4.9 m, with a storage volume of619.4 Hm 3 . The population of the watershed is estimatedat 120,000 inhabitants. Its economy is based mainly ontourism, forestry, fishing and craftsmanship, and recentlyon money remittances from its immigrants working in theUSA. Due to its singular beauty and historical relevance,going back to pre-Hispanic times, the region is consideredas one of Mexico’s most emblematic and culturally rich.The indigenous Purépechas people are an important partof the population.With the aim of contributing to the solution of thewatershed’s environmental problems, which havebeen caused by years of deterioration and ecologicalabuse, an agreement was signed in 2003, which gaveImage: Rita Vázquez, IMTALocal educators and community leaders participating in activities to develop the ‘Discover a Watershed: Lake Pátzcuaro’ educator’s guide[ 229 ]