The territory of the Huaorani people traditionally covered an area of approximately two million hectares, between the right bank of the Napo River and the left bank of the Curaray River. They maintained their independence and defended their territory through acts of warfare. Ongoing contact with the outside world did not begin until 1958, with the establishment of the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) by US missionaries.

While there are already oil operations that affect Yasuní National Park, the ITT field and Block 31 are in the very heart of the park. An environmental hearing on the status of the park is underway, and will result in proposals for the integral recovery of this important natural reserve.

The ITT project is tied to Block 31, as they share numerous characteristics in terms of operations. Both blocks are located within Yasuní National Park and form the park’s undestroyed frontier.

The opening of the oil frontier, if the ITT project is developed, would entail the creation of a new oil industry zone, where the same impacts would be seen as those that have been well documented in already operational zones.

From saveyasuni.org

Eight oil concessions cover Yasuní National Park and the Waorani Ethnic Reserve. Moreover, across the border in Peru is a continuous mass of 20 oil concessions. This “oil landscape” has changed dramatically over the past several months. Here is a block-by-block update on the recent changes and prospects for the future.