Evading indigenous consultation in Bolivia

[Zorro]

Looks like Lula's and Morales' hagiographies could use some updating.

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Indigenous Bolivians are searching for social justice as the government plans to build a new highway.

Indigenous groups from the lowlands of Bolivia have been marching since August 15, 2011 to protest the construction of a highway through protected territories. Over 1,500 protesters have joined the 375-mile trek from the Amazon lowlands to La Paz, pregnant women and children included. President Evo Morales response was to label them "enemies of the nation." He discredited protesters, portraying them as being confused by NGOs, and even denounced the march as another strategy of US imperialism. Although negotiations are in sight, what seems like a mere controversy over a local issue may in fact be representative of Latin America’s broader tensions with its indigenous population.

Building a highway through the TIPNIS

This is the latest in series of indigenous protests against megaprojects developed on indigenous lands without consultation. The TIPNIS - the Isiboro Secure Indigenous Territory and National Park - is both a national park and an autonomous territory held in common by the Yuracare, Moxeno and Chiman peoples. The Bolivian government contends that a highway through the TIPNIS is critical to the economic development of the nation. Indigenous groups oppose its passing through the heart of a conservation area on ancestral lands, and want the highway to be redirected around it.

The 190-mile highway would link the agricultural region of Beni with the commercial crossroads of Cochabamba. In addition to cutting travel time in half, the route strategically short-circuits Santa Cruz, a region that has staunchly opposed Morales' presidency.

Political allegiances play a crucial role, with settlers coming from the highland areas defending the project (through coca grower federations - key political allies of Morales). As settlers outnumber natives three to one, their quest for land has led to a tense cohabitation.

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More at: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2011/09/201197105514717750.html

[Bacchus39]

1. interesting stuff

A recent study estimates that 64 per cent of the TIPNIS will be deforested within 18 years. In addition to environmental stress, the road will facilitate land invasion by loggers and cocaleros, accelerating the disappearance of indigenous livelihoods in the area.

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Then there is oil. The Morales government has repeatedly suggested that the further expansion of extractive industries and megaprojects is on his political agenda. In July, Bolivia’s Minister of Hydrocarbons and Energy, Jose Luis Gutierrez, announced the possibility of oil exploration in the TIPNIS, where reserves appear to be significant. The controversy goes well beyond the highway: It is about the access the highway provides for exploiting natural resources.

[joshcryer]

2. 64% deforested? Jesus.

[Bacchus39]

3. it is an opinion piece

however, it provides substantial factual info about this issue in Bolivia including the government's complete indifference to cultural and environmental concerns. environmental destruction is a given with a new highway even without resource extraction plans for the park. I posted a map of the alignment the other day somewhere. the road bisects the park north to south. the map showed the indigenous alternative that completely surrounds the park. it looks quite feasible as it appears to be just below the mountain range. the intersection with the road to the north would have to be further west of the existing proposal but appears completely reasonable.

the resource extraction claims that mining and extraction interests are planned for the park are compelling. selecting the shortest distance for the road certainly doesn't seem the only motive.