El Pambilar is a forest located in the province of Esmeraldas. It is considerate as State National Forest Heritage (SNFH) although many peasants have customary possession inside it. Commercial logging activities are forbidden by law in areas considered SNFH and it is the Ministry of Environment, the entity which has competence in these areas. Despite this fact, in 1998 El Pambilar plot was granted to the logging company Bosques Tropicales S.A (commonly known as Botrosa) by the National Institute of Agrarian Development (INDA for its Spanish acronym). This illegal action was denounced by the customary peasant holders who rejected to abandon the area. In response, the logging company through private guards and workers started a harassment campaign against them. As a result many of them left the area, but others remained and formed an organization to make effective its customary rights. They presented legal appeals denouncing the situation, while at the same time were suffering continuous threats and violent actions on the part of companys personnel. Despite two courts ruling in favor of the peasants, the company remained working in the area. In 2011, again, the Ecuadorian courts ruled in favor of the customary holders. |
Name of conflict: | Botrosa logging company in El Pambilar, Ecuador |
Country: | Ecuador |
State or province: | Esmeraldas |
Location of conflict: | Malimpia |
Accuracy of location | HIGH (Local level) |
Type of conflict. 1st level: | Biomass and Land Conflicts (Forests, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Management) |
Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Land acquisition conflicts Plantation conflicts (incl. Pulp |
Specific commodities: | Land |
Project details | The forest plot El Pambilar encompasses 3123 hectares of primary forest. |
Project area: | 3123 |
Type of population | Rural |
Start of the conflict: | 1998 |
Company names or state enterprises: | Bosques tropicales S.A (BOTROSA) from Ecuador - It is part of the wood-processing consortium named Durini Group Durini Group from Ecuador |
Relevant government actors: | National Institute of Agrarian Development, Ministry of Environment, The Comptroller General of the State, The ombudsman, The Ministry of Coordination for Cultural and Natural Heritage, The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock |
International and Finance Institutions | Inter-American Commission on Human Rights |
Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | CEDHU, Inredh, Accion Ecologica, CDES, International Federation on Human Rights |
Intensity | MEDIUM (street protests, visible mobilization) |
Reaction stage | In REACTION to the implementation (during construction or operation) |
Groups mobilizing: | Farmers Local ejos Social movements |
Forms of mobilization: | Involvement of national and international NGOs Lawsuits, court cases, judicial activism |
Environmental Impacts | Visible: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover Potential: Desertification/Drought, Food insecurity (crop damage), Global warming, Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil erosion |
Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Displacement, Loss of livelihood, Violations of human rights, Land dispossession, Loss of landscape/sense of place Potential: Increase in violence and crime |
Project Status | In operation |
Conflict outcome / response: | Criminalization of activists Court decision (victory for environmental justice) Migration/displacement Violent targeting of activists |
Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | Yes |
Briefly explain: | After three courts rulings,it seems that authorities are taking actions and finally will close down Botrosas licence and project. Fourteen years after the illegal appropriation of over 3000 ha of national forest, the Constitutional Courts in 2011 ordered Botrosa to leave, for the third time. |
Related laws and legislationsĀ - Juridical texts related to the conflict |
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References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
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LinksĀ to general newspaper articles, blogs or other websites |
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Contributor: | Sara Latorre |
Last update | 08/04/2014 |