Petroleum Impacts to the Yasuní National Park & UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve

Amazon Rainforest

Petroleum Impacts to the Yasuní National Park & UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve

Installed into the northwest region of the Yasuní National Park and UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve in 1994 for petroleum activities, the Maxus road is emblematic of the impacts of the petroleum industry in the Amazon basin.

Yasuní is now recognized as one of the world's most biologically diverse places. The Maxus road has induced colonization, deforestation, illegal logging and hunting. Currently, there are 15 oil concessions that use this road for access. Oil operations bring contamination to forest and watershed. As secondary roads are built, protected forest interior is exposed to elevated noise,dust, temperature/humidity change and further incursions. Oil development has caused major changes in the economy, diet and cultural patterns of the indigenous Huaorani people.

A recent study estimated that for each new kilometer of road built in the vicinity of Yasuní, about 120 hectares (297 acres) of forest are lost to agricultural activity. Satellite image interpretation. based on the period from 1994-2004, suggest that all forest within two kilometers of the road may be lost by 2054 if the trend continues.