PUBLIC ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES IN MUNICIPALITIES OF NORTHERN SINALOA, SPEECH AND REALITIES

Due to the seriousness of environmental problems, it is necessary for municipalities to acquire a greater role, develop strategies and capacities in order to preserve their natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations. In this context, it is examined, from the perspective of different actors-officers, businessmen and academics- the effectiveness of the programs and actions developed by the municipalities of Ahome, Guasave and Sinaloa to attend the main environmental challenges faced in the region. The study is based on the analysis of the development plans of these municipalities located in the northern area of Sinaloa and on the semi-structured interview with the actors already defined. The interviewees agree that there is no authentic environmental public policy that marks the way forward to attend the environmental problems of the region, nor is there a necessary culture or environmental awareness by the population, which is worrying, since the natural environment begins to show signs of exhaustion and today is the time to act and to avoid waiting for irremiadable consequences.