Meena Menon

Chicle, or gum, is extracted, sold at 55 pesos a kg; 50 years ago, they got five kg from a tree

12 million people live in Mexico's forest areas: Mexican Civil Council for Sustainable Forestry

CANCUN: Santos Eligio prepares to climb the 12-metre-tall gum tree with his rope in place and a large machete, which he uses to expertly slash the trunk criss-cross.