Pollution in the Pilcomayo: Mining and Indigenous Communities
| Geolocation: | -22° 2' 17.2448", -62° 41' 0.9365" |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 290290,000,000 millionmillion |
| Climate Descriptors | Humid mid-latitude (Köppen C-type) |
| Predominent Land Use Descriptors | agricultural- cropland and pasture, conservation lands, mining operations, rangeland, religious/cultural sites |
| Important Uses of Water | Agriculture or Irrigation, Fisheries - wild, Mining/Extraction support, Recreation or Tourism |
| Water Features: | La Plata Basin, parana |
| Riparians: | Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina |
| Agreements: | Agreement constituting the trilateral commission for the development of the Pilcomayo river basin |
Contents
Summary
The Pilcomayo River is experiencing considerable pollution from mining activities in Bolivia, affecting the downstream riparians Argentina and Paraguay. The pollution is problematic in particular for indigenous communities who live from the river, and studies have found symptoms of heavy metal exposure among them. Even though the three countries have an exemplary framework for joint basin management, the pollution issue has so far not been addressed. The key reason is that indigenous communities are not represented by their national governments, shifting the conflict to the domestic level. Broader stakeholder participation could be an effective measure to bring the conflict to the table and developing the tourism industry in Bolivia could help to resolve it.
Natural, Historic, Economic, Regional, and Political Framework
Issues and Stakeholders
Pollution
NSPD: Water Quality
Stakeholder Types: Sovereign state/national/federal government, Industry/Corporate Interest, Community or organized citizens
Analysis, Synthesis, and Insight
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Key Questions
Several important donors have been active in the Pilcomayo Basin. Also, there are budding initiatives by indigenous groups to organize. The question is, to what extent these forces from above and below are effective in asserting tighter control over pollution.
Several important donors have been active in the Pilcomayo Basin. Also, there are budding initiatives by indigenous groups to organize. The question is, to what extent these forces from above and below are effective in asserting tighter control over pollution.
Tagged with: tailings stakeholder participation indigeneous populations
