By Sócrates Vásquez (Ayuujk, CS Staff)
In the heart of Michoacán, Mexico, Lake Pátzcuaro is of vital ecological, cultural, and historical importance. However, despite its significance, it is at a critical crossroads due to pollution, overuse, and the effects of climate change, which jeopardize its biodiversity as well as the livelihoods and identities of the communities that depend on it.
In early 2025, two Cultural Survival staff members gathered information and testimonies from residents of communities living on the shores of Lake Pátzcuaro, gaining firsthand knowledge of the situation there. We found that lake pollution is a multidimensional problem. Untreated wastewater discharge, deforestation, soil erosion, mass tourism, and the excessive use of agrochemicals have all significantly contributed to water quality degradation. Overexploitation of water resources for agriculture and other human activities has further lowered the lake's level, affecting its ecosystem and the aquatic life it supports.
Climate change has also aggravated the situation. Prolonged droughts, decreased rainfall, and rising water temperatures have altered the lake's natural balance, causing biodiversity loss and the proliferation of harmful algae. These changes not only affect the ecosystem's health but also impact fishing and other economic activities that depend on the lake.
For the Purépecha communities that have inhabited the region for centuries, Lake Pátzcuaro is much more than a natural resource. It is a sacred element, a link between nature and spirituality, and an essential component of their cultural identity. The pollution and degradation of the lake represent an affront to their culture and traditions and a threat to their way of life.
Roberto Carlos García, a native of the riverside community of Ihuatzio and a spiritual guide, recalls the rich history and connection with the lake: "Here, in Ihuatzio, there is a very important [cultural history]. In Ihuatzio, we have two periods of formation: the first was of Nahuatl origin...the remains of the monoliths that have been found, which have been badly named Chac Mool, [we know as] Huaxacatis. The second [began] with the arrival of the first Oreti Ticateme, who, according to the story from Michoacán, entered through what is now the city of Zacapu, reached Lake Pátzcuaro and began the formation of the new cycle that we, the Purépechas, are."
Sandra Gutiérrez, an Indigenous radio host, offers another view: "I think it's a lake that holds a lot of meaning for all of us and that refuses to die despite all this pollution and all these bad practices. It sets an example and shows us that something can be done, but it must be done collectively. It's a truly resilient lake. For as long as I can remember, people have said that the lake is drying up and will disappear. In the 1990s, people said that in 10 years, the lake would dry up completely, and that hasn't happened. I think it also has a lot to do with the people who care about the lake and the lake itself, which is alive and refuses to die."
Lake Pátzcuaro is home to a rich biodiversity, including endemic species of birds, fish, and other aquatic organisms. Pollution, overexploitation of the lake, and climate change threaten their survival, jeopardizing the ecological balance of the lake and the region. The loss of biodiversity not only has environmental consequences but also economic and cultural ones. The decline in fish populations affects fishing and food security, while the disappearance of endemic species, such as the whitefish, represents an irreparable loss to Mexico's natural and cultural heritage.
Fishing, a traditional activity and source of livelihood for many Purépecha families, has been severely affected by the decline in fish populations and water pollution. The loss of biodiversity and the degradation of the surrounding area of the lake have negatively impacted tourism, another important source of income for the region.
Due to the dire situation of Lake Pátzcuaro, the riverside communities are leading their own restoration initiatives. Gutierrez describes efforts promoted by Uekorheni Community Radio to involve younger generations in caring for the lake: “For eight years now, we have been working every summer with children here in the community and doing different activities linked to the territory. We talk about the importance of Lake Pátzcuaro, where we also redefine these communal spaces—spaces where people gather to socialize, converse, live together, and also in the spaces where we hold our celebrations and our parties.”
Another community initiative is the Delirio Artisanal Paper Workshop, which has produced paper from water lilies extracted from the lake for almost 20 years. The proliferation of water lilies is one of the main problems affecting the lake, which, according to official estimates, has taken over approximately 40% of it. Though it is important work, the workshop has limited production capacity. Esteban Silva, the workshop's founder, says, "One of the biggest blows we suffered was four years ago when we went to remove the water lilies as part of our program to recover or protect some springs, we saw that herbicides had been applied to the plants and aquatic weeds." This alarmed them, and they decided to stop working with water lilies to avoid health complications caused by direct contact with herbicides.
Government initiatives are supposed to include environmental education programs, reforestation projects, the construction of wastewater treatment plants, and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. Still, during our tour of the region, we saw minimal government action to restore the lake.
We documented that the San Pedrito wastewater treatment plant operates at only 50% of its capacity. It cannot treat all the contaminated water that reaches the lake through the Guani River, into which waste from the communities and industries surrounding the lake is dumped. Ismael Quirino, a worker at the treatment plant, told us that the plant was designed to treat 100 liters of water per second. Still, a component called the sedimentation tank, or secondary settler, is missing. He explained that “the sludge settles there, and one of them isn't working. The meter is no longer working properly, but it is estimated that only 44 to 47 liters per second are being treated. Much more water is arriving, and it cannot all be put into the plant for treatment because there is no more capacity.”
It is clear that the success of initiatives to safeguard Lake Pátzcuaro depends primarily on the participation of local communities, especially the Purépecha communities. Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and the spiritual connection to the lake are valuable resources that contribute to the conservation and restoration of this vital ecosystem.
Lake Pátzcuaro is at a critical juncture. Collective action and collaboration among communities, government, and environmental organizations are essential to reversing the damage and ensuring a sustainable future for this natural and cultural treasure. Protecting Lake Pátzcuaro is not only an ecological issue but also a matter of social and cultural justice. It is a reminder of the importance of living in harmony with nature and respecting the rights of Indigenous communities and their connection to the land and water. The lake's future depends on the collective will to act and the ability to integrate ancestral Traditional Knowledge with modern science to achieve a sustainable balance.
