Indigenous Peoples Urge Consultation on Controversial Highway…

Indigenous peoples in Peru are demanding adequate consultation regarding the construction of a highway that threatens their lands and protected environmental areas. Concerns include increased crime, environmental degradation, and inadequate engagement from the government, with legal experts highlighting issues related to project segmentation designed to expedite approvals. Community leaders emphasize the need for comprehensive planning that includes sustainable development and respect for Indigenous rights.

The construction of a federal highway in Peru is causing significant concerns among Indigenous peoples, including the Maijuna, Kichwa, Bora, and Huitoto communities, as it encroaches upon their lands and protected areas. According to local organizations, legal experts, and Indigenous residents, the highway poses risks of land invasions, social conflict, increased crime, and severe environmental damage. Although not all communities oppose the road, there is a strong consensus that adequate consultation processes, mandated by law, must be conducted—a requirement currently unmet by the government in all but one instance.

The 188-kilometer (117-mile) Bellavista-Mazán-Salvador-El Estrecho highway aims to enhance transportation between the provinces of Maynas and Putumayo in Loreto and the Colombian district of El Estrecho. Some residents advocate for the road, citing potential benefits of improved access to markets and health facilities. Nonetheless, leaders from various Indigenous communities express grave concerns over the insufficient government consultations, particularly as only one community has engaged in the process thus far, leading to skepticism regarding government intentions.

The vice president of the Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the Eastern Amazon (ORPIO), José Murayari, emphasized the essential community development services needed alongside road construction, stating, “We demand that a sustainable road be built.” He suggested alternative development methods, such as constructing an airport, which may provide better commercial opportunities than the current project.

Environmental and legal organizations, such as Derecho, Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (DAR) and Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Ambiental (SPDA), articulate fears regarding the adverse social and environmental consequences of the highway. Reports indicate increasing illegal activities, such as logging and drug trafficking, in areas surrounding the road’s construction. Testimonies from community leaders illustrate the detrimental effects already observed, with heightened crime rates and environmental degradation following the commencement of construction in 2021.

The Ministry of Transport’s (MTC) approval of environmental certifications prior to construction has been criticized for downplaying the risks associated with the project. Contracts for further sections of the highway have been established despite delays, raising concerns about effective oversight and consultation. Furthermore, the planned route will traverse the Maijuna-Kichwa reserve and impact other protected areas, threatening local biodiversity.

There have been reports of threats against community leaders from drug traffickers who view the road as a boon for their illegal operations, exemplifying the potential for increased violence and exploitation tied to the highway. Despite legal requirements for prior community consultation, the MTC has performed few consultations, generally limited to communities situated within designated direct impact zones, thereby neglecting a wider array of potentially affected populations.

The Peruvian government’s law on prior consultation, while requiring engagement with Indigenous communities before initiating development on their ancestral lands, lacks a requirement for consent. The consultation process itself is complex, entailing stage-wise engagement which has faced interruptions due to insufficient information provided by the MTC. Experts have criticized the government’s actions, particularly in dividing the highway project into four segments, which obscures its overall impact and expedites regulatory approvals.

Ultimately, community leaders and experts argue that the insufficient consultation process, paired with project segmentation tactics, poses serious challenges for Indigenous rights and environmental protection. The need for a responsible and sustainable approach to development that prioritizes Indigenous voices and ecological integrity remains paramount, especially given the historical context of Indigenous rights in Peru.

This ongoing highway construction in Peru highlights severe concerns among Indigenous communities regarding land rights, environmental degradation, and social conflicts. The calls for proper consultation reflect a critical demand for respecting Indigenous voices and legal rights, as the project unfolds with ambiguous processes. The potential for increased crime and ecological harm underscores the importance of addressing community needs and ensuring sustainable development practices.

Original Source: news.mongabay.com