The environmental agencies of 23 municipalities, in four of the 18 Honduran departments (provinces), began last week to study the implementation of the new Forestry Law, passed in mid-September after eight years of pushing from environmental groups. Rigoberto Sandoval, an environmental expert and adviser for the new law, told Tierramérica that for the law for the first time entails broad citizen and local government participation.

“We have to reinforce efforts for dissemination, participation and training so that we preserve the country's 104 protected areas,” he added.

Among other mechanisms, the new law creates the Forestry Conservation and Protected Areas Institute, in which local governments are to play an active role.