Yes, I think this tradition is connected to the environment. Locals told me that for a long time, hundreds of years, perhaps, people in the mountains would make designs out of wood and sell them to make some money. Additionally, for several hundred years, this region was known for mining. Silver ore in particular was mined from about 1250 to the 1900's. Mining provided people with jobs and incomes, but since the mines have closed, there are not as many jobs. I was told that making and selling these decorations is an important way for people to make money while preserving and using their environment.
