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.

The forest plot El Pambilar encompasses 3123 hectares of primary forest.