In Peru’s Amazon, a federal highway project threatens Indigenous lands and protected areas, causing fears of violence, drug trafficking, and environmental harm. Communities demand consultation from the government, which has yet to engage most affected groups, raising legal and ethical issues.

The federal highway construction project in Peru’s Amazon is raising significant concerns among Indigenous communities, including the Maijuna, Kichwa, Bora, and Huitoto peoples. The project poses threats to their lands and two protected areas, with fears of social conflict, crime, and environmental degradation mounting. Indigenous representatives insist on the need for prior consultation, emphasizing that the government has only engaged one community to date.

In conclusion, the controversial highway project in Peru’s Amazon has surfaced serious challenges regarding Indigenous rights and environmental protections. The absence of comprehensive prior consultation with affected communities raises alarm, as do the anticipated negative socio-economic impacts. Legal experts underscore concerns over project divisions, highlighting a tactic that diminishes transparency and accountability in decision-making processes.

Original Source: news.mongabay.com