Página — Uerakua Anapu Uantakua Projects And Readings 2 (pág. 107)

This was how the first chinampas were made,and they produced enough corn, beans, chili, and zucchini, not only to feed the inhabitants, but also to have products to trade with neighboring towns.

The diet of Mexica people was enriched with proteins from frogs, axolotls, freshwater shrimps, edible bugs,and some other insects and their larvae. However,nowadays, some of these animals are endangered,therefore, they are no longer considered as part of the menu.

The biggest development of the chinampas was accomplished in 1519, when they occupied almost all the surface of Lake Xochimilco. The expansion was so intense over the years, that it caused Mexico-Tenochtitlan to develop into a growing floating city.

Today, Lake Xochimilco is a reserve of species, like the axolotl or ajolote. It is fundamental to the conservation of other animals, like many birds that fly in big flocks every morning towards the mountains and forests of Tlalpan

Unfortunately, this marvelous system of chinampas has suffered some damage because of pollution. In 1991a plan of ecological rescue was created. This plan includes the cleaning of the channels, the conservation of the culture, and the recovery of ancestral crops.

This project, once again, wil favor sustainable feeding by means of the production of good quality food,preserving the environment and not compromising the feeding needs of future generations.



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