17th August 2013

Ecuador approves oil drilling in pristine Amazon rainforest preserve

Ecuador will abandon a conservation plan for Yasuni National Park, after failing to raise enough funds from the international community.

The country's president, Rafael Correa, said that economic pressures meant he would be forced to allow liquidation of the Yasuni-ITT trust fund. Established in 2010, this had been hoped to generate $3.6bn (£2.3bn), equivalent to around half the value of reserves in the Ishpingo-Tambococha-Tiputini (ITT) oil field. However, Mr Correa said the fund had attracted only a fraction of the money it needed, with just $13m so far in actual donations.

"The world has failed us," he said in a televised address. "It was not charity we sought from the international community, but co-responsibility in the face of climate change ... This decision is disappointing to all of us, but it is necessary. Not to do it would be to the detriment of our people. History will judge us."

The field contains an estimated 920 million barrels – about 20% of the country's proven oil reserves. However, polls show that between 78% and 90% of Ecuadoreans are opposed to exploiting this sensitive region. Although Correa said that drilling would affect less than 1% of the park, scientists from a field research centre claim that 20 to 30 times more land will be needed once access roads are factored in.

"A new road is the death knell to any wilderness area, no matter where in the world," said Professor Kelly Swing, of the Tiputini Biodiversity Station, which sits in the heart of Yasuni National Park.

The most biologically diverse spot on Earth, the Yasuni National Park was designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1989. A single hectare contains more tree species than are native to all of Canada and the USA. It is home to one-third of the world's amphibian and reptile species, 596 known bird species, 382 known fish species, and the highest concentration of insect species on Earth – over 100,000 in all.

In addition, there are several uncontacted indigenous tribes, such as the Tagaeri and Taromenane. Sadly, it would appear that oil demand trumps all. PetroEcuador has already been making preparations, with roads constructed in an area that is famous for jaguar sightings. Further exploration will commence within the next few weeks. Ironically, this news comes the day after a new species of mammal was announced, the habitat of which includes part of Ecuador.

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