Peru will allow Brazil to build six dams in the Amazon to generate electricity for Brazil under a 50-year energy agreement. The land on which these are scheduled to be built is protected and indigenous peoples are supposed to be consulted. However, such consultation has allegedly not been done. The communities occupying the land reportedly see the forest as a mother, a provider, who must be treated gently and with respect. |
| Name of conflict: | Ashaninka people against dams, Peru |
| Country: | Peru |
| State or province: | Junin |
| Location of conflict: | Ene-Tambo river basin |
| Accuracy of location | MEDIUM (Regional level) |
| Type of conflict. 1st level: | Water Management |
| Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Dams and water distribution conflicts Land acquisition conflicts Water access rights and entitlements |
| Specific commodities: | Land Electricity Aluminum/Bauxite Water |
| Project details | The Pakitzapango dam would generate 2,200 MW, while displacing some 10,000 people. |
| Project area: | 73.4 |
| Type of population | Unknown |
| Start of the conflict: | 2009 |
| Company names or state enterprises: | Electrobras from Brazil Engevix Engenharia S.A. from Brazil Camargo Corrêa S.A from Brazil Odebrecht Ambiental from Brazil Constructura Andrade Gutierrez S.A. (AG) from Brazil |
| Relevant government actors: | Govts. of Peru and Brazil |
| International and Finance Institutions | Banco Nacional de Desarrollo del Brazil from Brazil |
| Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | International Rivers, Central Ashaninka del Río Ene (CARE) |
| Intensity | MEDIUM (street protests, visible mobilization) |
| Reaction stage | Unknown |
| Groups mobilizing: | Indigenous groups or traditional communities International ejos Local ejos Ethnically/racially discriminated groups |
| Forms of mobilization: | Development of a network/collective action Lawsuits, court cases, judicial activism Media based activism/alternative media involvement of indigenous NGOs; indigenous mistrust of media etc. |
| Environmental Impacts | Visible: Floods (river, coastal, mudflow) Potential: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Reduced ecological / hydrological connectivity |
| Health Impacts | Potential: Violence related health impacts (homicides, rape, etc..), Health problems related to alcoholism, prostitution |
| Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Displacement, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Violations of human rights, Land dispossession Potential: Increase in violence and crime, Loss of livelihood, Militarization and increased police presence, Social problems (alcoholism, prostitution, etc..) |
| Project Status | Proposed (exploration phase) |
| Conflict outcome / response: | Corruption Criminalization of activists Land demarcation Migration/displacement Strengthening of participation Violent targeting of activists Application of existing regulations New Environmental Impact Assessment/Study 0 |
| Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | Not Sure |
| Related laws and legislations - Juridical texts related to the conflict |
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| References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
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| Links to general newspaper articles, blogs or other websites |
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| Other comments: | 0 |
| Contributor: | Malena Bengtsson |
| Last update | 08/10/2014 |