Participación ciudadana y conflictos socioambientales

For indigenous populations, territory is not merely land but a vital social space that sustains their way of life through a deep connection with the natural environment. The imposition of megaprojects on indigenous lands-often without their consent-disrupts traditional ways of life, sparking socio-environmental conflicts. Participation offers indigenous communities’ critical mechanisms to assert their rights and influence territorial decision-making. This study examines the knowledge and use of such mechanisms in Ixil, Yucatán, Mexico, where a proposed wind megaproject threatens local land and livelihoods. Through an analysis of national and international regulations, juxtaposed with fieldwork in the community, the study reveals that while the population has engaged in participatory actions, these have been largely informal. This underscores the urgent need to strengthen their understanding of and access to legal participation mechanisms to safeguard their rights and territory.