Oil Road in Ecuadorian Amazon Canceled

Brazilian oil company Petrobras has suspended its plans to build a new access road into Yasuni National Park, that is located in the Ecuadorian Amazon. They have not given up oil development within the park, but claim they will use helicopters to access the site.

"For nearly two years, Ecuadorian and international conservation, indigenous, and scientific groups have been fighting to stop the road into the park, which is a designated UNESCO Biosphere and is currently roadless. They fear a road would allow land development of all kinds to penetrate the pristine rainforest that shelters a rich diversity of species as well as indigenous peoples who prefer to avoid contact and retain traditional ways.

In a written statement last week from Petrobras to Save America’s Forests, a conservation group based in Washington, DC, the company explained that it will follow the advice of the Ecuadorian government not to build the road.

or nearly two years, Ecuadorian and international conservation, indigenous, and scientific groups have been fighting to stop the road into the park, which is a designated UNESCO Biosphere and is currently roadless. They fear a road would allow land development of all kinds to penetrate the pristine rainforest that shelters a rich diversity of species as well as indigenous peoples who prefer to avoid contact and retain traditional ways.

In a written statement last week from Petrobras to Save America’s Forests, a conservation group based in Washington, DC, the company explained that it will follow the advice of the Ecuadorian government not to build the road.

For more information see http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2006/2006-04-24-02.asp

Tags: oil, ecuador, amazon rainforest, rainforest, amazon, petrobras