The most dangerous snake of Ecuadorian Amazonia…

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Today, instead of talking about my journey in Ecuador, I would talk to you about a topic, which touched me, while visiting the North of the country.

What do you think about when we hear Amazonia ? Mostly, we will relate this word to tropical forest, rivers, crocodiles, tropical birds, amazing fauna and flora in general. Well, I could notice how, in Equador, all this is in danger. Why ? Because of the oil industry! When you drive from Quito to Lago Agrio, you can quily realize this fact. You will indeed see very quickly the pipelines along the road, like bridges over the rivers, but also crossing some people’s yards and the forest. It was the first pipelines, I was seeing in my life and to see them, so close to the Amazonian forest was a difficult contrast.

Writting the title, I first wanted to write « the new most dangerous snake », but then I thought that well, it’s not really new anymore… The city Lago Agrio has indeed been built by Texaco in 1964!

The pipelines aren’t the only issue : Entering a village I saw an inscription, which shouldn’t shock only me I think « Oil is helping building the community and improving its education». This was on a huge billkboard promoted by the Ecuadorian government itself. So, between this « advertisement » and the other positive ads from the government with the inscription « we go forward » promoting the improvment of health for instance, how could the locals make the difference? And, honestly, even those ads might be not that good, as I heard that Ecuador was suffering a lot from corruption and that the government wasn’t as good there as what people could think. We could talk about all that for long, but it’s however another topic here.

There are however people there, who are doing something to preserve the Amazonia from this issue. The ONG Green Amazon, founded by Carlos Mestanza, where I spent a week is one of them. As environmental engineer, he is controlling how the firms are developing in the area to be sure that they are respecting the environment, while building new factories. He, for instance, told me that it was already forecasted to put all the pipelines under earth, to make the landscape looks nicer. It’s definitely a good thing!

But on a sader note, they want to drill out more petrol in another place in the South of Ecuador and even though there were 850 000 local people, who signed a petition against it, and showed it to the President, it won’t change. The answer to this was clear : Oil is bringing money and that’s all what’s important at the moment to the government. In that area, there are also wild forest and doing this would for sure destroy a part of it and have a long-term impact on the area (deforestation but also water pollution, soil contamination). They could have at least hold a referendum about it -as it is required when there is such a petition with over 590 000 signatures, but they said that only 360 000 signatures were genuine...

I would like to add that you shouldn’t think that Ecuador is controlling much of the situation! As often, the mighty Unites States of America are mainly: Texaco -with its company Chevron- is indeed, as you know, an American company. But they are not the only ones to exploit oil in the area : Chinese, Brazilian and Spanish firms, aslo are there to take their part of the cake !

There are some court trials regarding those issues, but unfortunately, most of the outcome is not the best one. Yes, we are indeed living in a world, where big consortiums are more powerful than the local population...

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Comments

[taracloud]

Horrible exploitation
Good for you for writing a blog on this, and how great that you volunteered with an organization that's helping to protect the environment! The Ecuadorian government/president is completely hypocritical, saying that it's protecting the environment, but letting companies from all over the world come in and destroy the Amazon. You're right--they are the snakes in the grass.

[Frenchgirlroundtheworld]

Dear Tara, Thank you for reading my blog. Yes, I was quite shocked when I went there. I just looked at your profile and I wish you a good time in South America! You are right: one-way ticket and slow travelling are the best!!

[Dancing Dave]

Progress OR the Environment
As you appear to be observing the issue is NOT Progress VERSUS the Environment BUT Progress OR the Environment. Its obvious who is the winner. As you say "Oil is bringing money and that’s all what’s important at the moment to the government." An important message to bring Natacha.

[Frenchgirlroundtheworld]

Dear David, Thank you for your comment. I am indeed noticing your point more and more while travelling. I was in Latvia for the past weeks and there 80% of the territory is covered by forest, you can see the difference: great energy, people living in harmony with nature, consumption of local products, enjoying the nature at weekends. They are not earning lot of money but most of them wouldn't leave their country because they just like their life there! We have to learn from such countries I think.