How a Mexican community is standing up to massive avocado production and its environmental cost

The impact of ever-increasing consumption of avocados in the U.S. on Mexico's forests (Credit: AFP)

A deep dive by The Guardian on the often environmentally-costly avocado industry shed light on an initiative by residents of Cherán and the way they are standing up against sometimes corrupt officials and cartels to protect its forests from these practices.

Thirteen years ago, the town's residents rose up against corrupt officials and a local cartel, taking decisive action to protect their native forests. Through a series of bold measures, including the expulsion of the police and local government, Cherán implemented a new state apparatus. Political parties were banned and a governing council was elected to oversee the town's affairs.