The Federal Program of Payment for Hydrological Environmental Services as an Alternative Instrument for Integrated Water Resources Management in Mexico City

Abstract

This paper discusses the possibility of considering the federal program of Payment for Hydrological Environmental Services, implemented by the National Forest Commission in Mexico since 2003, as an alternative instrument of the environmental public policy in order to contribute to the Integrated Water Resources Management, based on the territorial concept of basin. As a case study we present Mexico City, which is the most important urban area of the country that faces serious problems in providing water to its population. The used methodology consists of cabinet work with the analysis of scientific papers, data bases, public material, and the field work with the application of proof structured interviews and one questionnaire to the principal groups of participants (authorities and communities). In the final part we compare the points of view of these actors and review the idea of the viability through a combination of two theoretical concepts into the application of one environmental policy program.