View of Pastaza River, photo © Diego Shoobridge
Abanico del Pastaza is located in the rainforests of northern Peru. Located between Morona and Pastaza Rivers, it stretches 2,300,000 hectreas and includes numerous tributary streams and rivers as well as lakes, lagoons, and other bodies of water. It is part of a greater ecosystem covering well over 6 million hectares formed by volcanic sediments over thousands of years (Abanico del Pastaza: 10% in Ecuador, 90% in Peru). It includes both sides of Pastaza River and the eastern side of Morona River from the Ecuadorian border to the Marañón River. The area expands three districts (Pastaza, Barranca, and Morona) within the province of Yurimaguas in Loreto. Its amazing geomorphology and abundant flora and fauna deserve protection from disturbances induced by uncontrolled exploitation and natural resource depletion.
This area is pristine and extremely rich in both biological and sociocultural diversity. There are a great number of species and abundant fresh water resources of considerable conservation value. The area is considered a priority area for biodiversity protection within the Amazon River and Flooded Forests Ecoregion. Added to the Ramsar Convention\’s List of Wetlands of International Importance in 2002, this extraordinary area has yet to be included in Peru\’s National System of Natural Protected Areas (SINANPE).
Many important bodies of water are located within Abanico del Pastaza, including Rimachi Lake, which at 30 km² is one of the Peruvian Amazon\’s largest lakes. These bodies of water together comprise a highly diverse ecosystem with biologically rich habitats, particularly for fish species and important to migratory species. There are four types of forests rich in wildlife that have received very little scientific attention. Threatened species inhabiting the area include black caiman (Melanosuchus niger), Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis), South American river turtle (Podocnemis expansa), white-bellied spider monkey (Ateles belzebuth), giant arapaima (Arapaima gigas), jaguar (Panthera onca), and giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus), among others.
Location of Abanico del Pastaza and presence of petroleum lots, map: M. Montoya.
Indigenous communities of the Achuar, Kandoshi, Quechuas, and Shapras ethnicities also call Abanico del Pastaza home. The indigenous population is approximately 10,000 people, although there are also a small number of mestizo inhabitants as well. The indigenous communities hold title to 718,250 hectares and use-rights to an additional 210,000 hectares. Indigenous rights could be strengthened with the creation of a Communal Reserve whose status is legally recognized within Peru\’s SINANPE.
An Achuar Community, photo © Diego Shoobridge
Local inhabitants farm, raise cattle, hunt, collect, and fish. San Lorenzo is the main commercial and trading center in the area; it boasts electricity and some basic services on a limited scale. It is also the hub of petroleum exploration activities since it has a small airport. Overall, the communities have subsistence-based economies and lack basic services.
Because of Abanico del Pastaza\’s high levels of connectivity, unsustainable natural resource exploitation has profound impacts throughout the aquatic habitat, affecting wildlife populations, migratory processes, and ecosystem health. The largest and most significant threat to Abanico del Pastaza\’s biological and sociocultural diversity is petroleum extraction. The Peruvian Government has issued oil concessions to international oil companies Occidental Petrolera del Peru, Inc., which currently operates in the Morona River Basin, and Pluspetrol, which is exploring new lots within the area and managing old petroleum infrastructure and lots exploited by other companies along Pastaza River.
Water contaminated by oil, photo © M. Montoya.
Most of the ecosystems and indigenous populations within Abanico del Pastaza are seriously impacted by irresponsible oil extraction, which is to blame for the majority of the area\’s water contamination and many health problems seen in the communities over the years. For decades, more than 60% of Peru\’s oil production has been extracted from the area and the government continues to offer oil lot concessions. When it comes to hydrocarbons in Peru, the political position is oriented toward investment. As a result, almost 40% of this Ramsar Site is divided into oil lots. Actually, 8,224 hectares are under evaluation; 801,753 hectares are being negotiated; and 1,701,533 hectares have been exploited. Oil exploration and exploitation without environmental precautions and controls create a serious threat to the lives and health of the indigenous people and the natural resources on which they depend for survival. Several aquatic ecosystems have been severely contaminated and require aggressive restoration and remediation measures, such as removing contaminated soils.
Several factors have led to the area\’s water contamination including old infrastructure and technology, decision-makers\’ lack of environmental awareness, and oil companies\’ lack of interest and cooperation to follow internationally recognized environmental protocols. The Energy Investment Oversight Organization (Organismo Supervisor para la Inversión en Energía, OSINERG) recently issued a report based on an analysis of environmental conditions found at important petroleum extracting blocks. Significantly contrasting previous results presented by Pluspetrol-responsible for many major operations in the area-OSINERG documented the presence of contaminants in soils and creeks exceeding the Maximum Permissible Levels. This is a direct result of Pluspetrol\’s poor management. Water samples analyzed contained high chloride and oil concentrations and high temperatures. Of the 46 water and soil samples taken from petroleum block 1AB, 36 had contamination levels above the Maximum Permissible Levels.
Hydrocarbons emptying into bodies of waters impacts vegetation, soils, and terrestrial and aquatic fauna, photo © M. Montoya.
Indigenous people living in and around Abanico del Pastaza have always been marginalized when it comes to the politics surrounding natural resource use and decision-making. Peruvian law permits concessions to petroleum companies in untitled indigenous territory, without requiring any compensation or financial benefits for local communities.
Operating standards for oil companies working the area must be improved and environmental management plans must been approved and implemented correctly. Areas completely affected by oil spills should be restored and oil activity\’s impacts mitigated and solved.
Oil pumping station along Morona River, photo © Diego Shoobridge
Fundamental to this process is the participation of indigenous communities and their representative federations. Achieving participation will require appropriate negotiation and coordination mechanisms to bring together diverse ethnic groups, decision-makers, and oil companies. In addition, capacity among indigenous leaders should be strengthened and alert and exchange networks formed. More than anything, this area\’s status as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance must be respected. Norms and procedures needed to guarantee its conservation must be followed and new oil operations in the area should be prevented.
ParksWatch – Peru: February 2006