Threats to the environment
and indigenous peoples in Alto Mayo from oil exploitation.
A public enquiry was held in the town hall of Moyobamba, in the Alto Mayo are of San Martín on 21st and 22nd of November 2001. Local conservation groups including the Otorongo Holistic Ecology Centre based in Moyobamba ( www.moyobamba.net/otorongo ) protested at the public enquiry. Their concerns include the
threat to the local indigenous native tribes and communities of the Aguaruna,
who up to now have been able to continue their way of life an culture with
comparatively little interference from outside. Oil exploitation
and oil production, which might be within the actual communities,
will potentially change their culture rapidly and drastically forever. Oil exploitation as with the gold rushes and similar expoitation of resources usually gives a temporary glut of work and money, leading to change in desires, "needs" and acquisition patterns. Once the exploitation stops, and the flow of money, how can this unreversable change be managed? ![]() |