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In spite of the profound deterioration of Mexican natural ecosystems and the negative effects that this process has caused on the quality of life of the human population, environmental restoration has not yet become a priority public policy. Restoration activities such as reforestation and soil improvement have been promoted since the beginning of the 20th century; however, the priority has been put on reforestation of green urban areas and on the recovery of agricultural soil. It was not until the mid 1990’s that an integral vision of restoration was included. For example, regarding reforestation, compact rural areas were prioritized through the introduction of native species. Although this was an important step, production and planting is still emphasized and not enough attention has been put on survival rates of the plants or the consolidation of reforested areas. Other important programs are the recovery of threatened priority species, the elimination of exotic species, and the recovery of degraded lands in priority regions such as the humid tropics, among others. There is significant progress in the programmatic platform, allocation of economic resources, and institutional strengthening. However, there is a need to consolidate and harmonize an adequate legal framework, increase efforts to build technical and scientific workgroups with a long term, interdisciplinary and integral vision that influence and promote innovative public policy for environmental restoration

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Resumen: En este estudio se analizan las causas que han impedido el funcionamiento exitoso de los programas de reforestación en la región de "La Montaña", Guerrero, México. Para ello, se realizó una revisión de los distintos programas de desarrollo que han considerado entre sus actividades el establecimiento de plantaciones a través de programas de reforestación. Se concluye que el escaso éxito de estos programas se debe a las siguientes causas: l] los objetivos de la reforestación no se han dirigido a la restauración del ambiente; 2] el acervo de especies utilizado en la realización de los programas es reducido; 3] existen deficiencias técnicas en la elección de especies y sitios de plantación; 4] la superficie reforestada es pequeña; 5] los recursos económicos son insuficientes y sin continuidad; 6] falta de capacitación a técnicos y campesinos, y 7] la aceptación social es deficiente. Palabras clave: Deforestación, especies exóticas, especies nativas, programas de desarrollo, reforestación. Abstract. The authors analyze the causes that have prevented the successful operation of reforestation programs in the La Montaña region (Guerrero State), Mexico. They reviewed the various regional development programs which have taken place in the last six decades and which have included the implementation of reforestation programs as part of their activities. The a uthors conclude that the meagre success that has characterized the reforestation efforts at La Montaña is due to one or a combination of severa! of the following factors: l] reforestation obj ectives not directed towards the restoration ofthe environment, 2] programs based on a very small number of the species, 3] technical deficiencies in the selection of species and si tes for the plantations 4) small size of areas devoted to reforestation, 5] insufficient and intermittent funding for these programs, 6) lack of training of local peasant inhabitants and of institutional technicians, and 7) very limited social acceptance of reforestation programs.