Now there are moves afoot to integrate the village into the Honduran administrative system - either by dividing it between neighbouring municipalities, or making it into a new municipality of its own.
The administrative bureau of the biosphere reserve subsequently convened meetings with every village to discuss how to use the ban to foster environmentally responsible economic development.
Less memorable, but equally unpopular, has been the steady drumbeat of post-office closures, disappearing village shops and, more recently, the threat of shutting schools in the name of administrative efficiency.