Protecting a Sacred Gift makes a strong case that culture, gender, place, politics, and history shape Mexico's water resources policy, management strategies, and, ultimately, its physical and cultural landscapes. This edited volume presents diverse disciplinary approaches - anthropology, development studies, geography, history, political science, sociology, and women's studies - all of which converge on theoretical and substantive interest in equity, public participation, and power associated with water. Indeed, the editors make the bold claim that water resources management must go far beyond technological innovation and economic efficiency to include 'visions of fairness in access, protection of the least privileged, engagement of stakeholders in all phases of distribution and maintenance, and a view of development that is sustainable.