Fungi, Forests, and Futures: Exploring The Tlahuica's Mycotourism Practices As A Model For Sustainable Development

Mycotourism, a specialised form of ecotourism focused on fungal biodiversity, offers a sustainable development model for Indigenous communities. This study examines the mycotourism practices of the Tlahuica, an Indigenous group residing in Zempoala National Park, Mexico. Through the integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), the Tlahuica have developed sustainable foraging practices that promote biodiversity conservation while fostering cultural preservation and economic resilience. Findings indicate that TEK plays a central role in educating visitors about the ecological significance of fungi, facilitating intergenerational knowledge transfer and strengthening community cohesion. Mycotourism has diversified the Tlahuica’s income sources, providing employment opportunities and stimulating the local economy through the integration of cultural and ecological activities. However, the community faces significant challenges, including illegal logging, habitat degradation and limited institutional support, which threaten the sustainability of their practices. Despite these obstacles, the Tlahuica have implemented adaptive strategies, such as controlled foraging and collaborations with conservation organisations, in order to mitigate environmental pressures and sustain their livelihoods. This study highlights the need for participatory governance frameworks that safeguard TEK and support Indigenous-led initiatives, demonstrating the potential of mycotourism as a replicable model for sustainable development in biodiversity-rich regions.