In 1954, the Mexican government awarded a 30-year logging concession over about 500,000 ha in Quintana Roo to a timber company, MIQRO. The forests consisted of state lands nominally owned or controlled by six ejido communities. Logging was highly selective, concentrating on the largest mahoganies (Swietenia Macrophylla). Timber fees, always low, were paid into accounts over which the ejidos had no control. Supervision, controls and revenue administration were all handled by the state forestry service. The ejidos received minimal financial or social benefits from the logging. The logging itself caused little permanent damage to the forest but offered no incentives for conservation. Large areas were cleared by ejido members for other sources of income.

A programme of communal forest management started in Quintana Roo, in 1983, and has made important advances in promoting local participation in harvesting and management. It was known as Plan Piloto Forestal (PPF) and now forms part of the State Forestry Plan (Plan Estatal Forestal (PEF). Most of the forests of the state belong to ejido communities, and over 90% of the economically productive forests of the state are now involved in this programme. The more valuable forests of the south of the state have a sustained-yield timber production programme. Management is financed from communal revenues.

To improve the profitability of ejido forestry activities through the adoption of more cost efficient forest harvesting techniques and the exploitation of an expanded range of species.

To conserve the forest environment and biodiversity.

• More cost-efficient techniques for road construction and harvesting
• Local capability established to implement improved techniques.
• Forest roads constructed.
• Conservation areas established.
• Local capability in assessing forests' sustainable productivity established by end of 3 year project.