Chiquitanía indigenous communities declare territories free of extractivism

Indigenous communities and environmental defenders in the Chiquitanía region of Bolivia have officially declared their territories free from agro-industrial and mining extractivism. During a meeting in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, representatives issued a resolution demanding that the national government halt the authorization of new land grants, mining rights, and land clearing activities.

The declaration aims to protect water sources, ecosystems, and food security. Participants warned that the expansion of agricultural and livestock frontiers, along with forest fires and deforestation, are deteriorating ecosystems and reducing water availability. The communities are calling for the protection of wetlands and watersheds, the restoration of forests, and the establishment of community monitoring mechanisms to oversee environmental impacts.