The community of Ajpacajá is located in the Chuik’axtun region, Chiyax canton, Totonicapán department. It covers an area of 222 hectares. Its K’iche’ name, Ajpacajá, means “house with a thatched roof.” The community has always established its own communal and sub-community authorities to manage its territory and organize itself socially.

The roles of the board of directors are carried out by community members on a voluntary basis for a two-year term, as part of a community service known as k’axk’ol¹ in K’iche’. According to community norms, k’axk’ol must be performed by all individuals over the age of 18 or by those who are married with a spouse and children. Throughout their lives, each community member contributes to the maintenance of the community organization by holding different positions and performing various support activities. In exchange for their labor and time, families benefit from a water supply and forest products (firewood, timber, brush, mushrooms), as well as a sense of identity and belonging to the community and the land.
The forest in the Ajpacajá district is primarily a natural forest dominated by Pinabete pines, a species considered to be endangered. The main objective of protecting the forest in the district is to conserve water sources and the Pinabete pine.