Indigenous peoples in Angola, Bolivia and Peru against environmental degradation

Although exploiting local forests is a lucrative business, the inhabitants of Babaera, in the municipality of Ganda, in the Angolan province of Benguela,  are concerned about excessive logging,  as they see no benefit to local communities. The only beneficiaries are the Chinese companies, which export thousands of tonnes of timber abroad without engaging in sustainable development or embracing social responsibility.

The Bolivian government has approved updated mining industry management plans for three national parks: Madidi, Cotapata and Apolobamba in the Amazon jungle. The indigenous peoples of the Leco, San José de Uchupiamonas and dozens of others successfully protested against the government’s decision,  standing up for the environment and their territories.   Bolivia is recognised as the first country to decide to look after the rights of nature on a par with human rights, and the protection of indigenous peoples and their territories is laid down in the Constitution of Bolivia.

In September this year, there was a spill of around 2,500 barrels of oil on the Cuninico River in the jungle of Loreto, Peru. The indigenous leaders of the Achuar and Wampis tribes of the Peruvian Amazon, therefore, travelled to the USA to persuade banks to sever financial ties with Petroperú, Peru’s state oil company. Petroperú is responsible for oil spills in areas inhabited by indigenous peoples that contaminate water sources and irretrievably destroy hunting and fishing grounds. The tribes are demanding from the government and Peruvian banks an end to investment and oil exploration in all indigenous territories of the Peruvian Amazon