Conflicting agendas in Colombia

In Colombia's tropical jungle, indigenous and African descendant communities live isolated from the rest of the country. Large-scale transport development, responsible for greenhouse gas emissions and widespread deforestation, has a poor environmental record in one of only two humid tropical jungles left in the world.

Big cities and globalisation are increasingly demanding the extraction of wood, medicinal plants, raw materials for pharmaceutical products, petroleum, natural gas and minerals from rural areas of Colombia and other Latin American countries. Without adequate government representation, local people are unable to oppose major road developments and the extraction of resources from traditional lands.

Chocó, Colombia

Chocó is one of the poorest areas in Colombia. It is located between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans but the local inhabitants remain isolated and landlocked by their poor socio-economic status and lack of suitable transport networks. Although rich in minerals and biodiversity, Chocó has one of the highest indexes of Unsatisfied Basic Needs in Colombia - 81.5 percent against a national average of 37.6 percent.

Constructing a highway through Chocó has been on the agenda since 1967. It is part of a national project - Port of Tribugá, which will open up markets with Asian countries and forge links across the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Only one section has been built so far; it is already in need of repair and its construction has resulted in irreparable damage, including deforestation and biodiversity loss. At present 60 percent of the area is pending construction, which, if carried out, will define its future.

Local protests halt new highway

The road development has been interrupted by local protest against the project's poor environmental management and by communities who prioritise territorial autonomy and defending their culture and identity, over national and international trade.

In this rural context, rivers and the ocean could provide means of transport that benefit indigenous and African descendant people. In a region with navigable rivers:

• There is huge potential for a transport system that uses environmentally sustainable technologies such as ropeways, chalupas (small-scale boats) and long-tail boats to link up with non-motorised land transport, like bicycles and animals.
• Different kinds of transport and a clear policy of sustainable development would prevent exploitation of genetic and wood resources and stop irreversible changes to the ecosystem.

The need for local debate

Transport in rural areas is a political issue with different interests represented. National and local development perspectives should be debated, including those of local inhabitants. Recently civil society members agreed to collaborate with the National Department for Planning to prepare an overall national policy for rural transport. For change to take place at the local level:

• Similar spaces should be created for communities to talk with ministries involved in the project, including the Ministries of Environment, Transport and the Interior. Debate should deal with innovative projects that respect ethnic groups' territorial autonomy and cultural identity.
• The debate should provide for learning from other successful experiences from other developing country communities in similar positions.
• In the absence of dialogue or where this is not enough, communities should be willing to mobilise and protest to gain the attention of government authorities.

A balance can only be achieved by preserving rural areas and securing a good quality of life for their inhabitants, who provide the goods and services that make urban life possible.

Luz Marina Monsalve Friedman
Calle 46 N 70A-46, Apto 301, Medellín,
Colombia
T +57 4 250 4942
luzma635@gmail.com

Ana Bravo
Calle Capitan La Jara, 181 Lima 27 (San Isidro), Perú
T/F +51 1 222 6863
ana.bravo@ifrtd.org

See also

Estudio de Impacto Ambiental y Consulta Previa de la Conexión Terrestre nimas Nuquí, Universidad Tecnológica del Chocó, Luz Marina Monsalve Friedman et al, December 2005

Declaración de Importancia Estratégica de la Construcción del Proyecto las Ánimas - Nuquí, Documento COMPES 3389, Consejo Nacional de Política Económica y Social República de Colombia, Departamento Nacional de Planeación Bogotá DC, 24 October 2005

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