Ecuadorians reject oil drilling project in historic decision

Subject: Geography

Section: Economic Geography

Context:

In a historic decision, Ecuadorians voted on Sunday against the oil drilling of a protected area in the Amazon that’s home to two uncontacted tribes and serves as a biodiversity hotspot.

Oil-drilling project in Yasuni National Park:

Oil drilling company: Petroecuador
The oil-drilling project is in the area of Yasuni National Park, one of the world’s most biodiverse regions.
The area is inhabited by the Tagaeri and Taromenani, who live in self-isolation.
In 1989, Yasuni was designated a world biosphere reserve by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
Encompassing a surface area of over 1 million hectares (2.5 million acres), it boasts 610 species of birds, 139 species of amphibians, and 121 species of reptiles.
At least three species are endemic.
This biodiverse region is a convergence point for three unique regions, the Equator,Andes Mountains, and the Amazon rainforest.

Ecuador:

Bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west.
Ecuador also includes the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific, about 1,000 kilometers (621 mi) west of the mainland.
The country’s capital and largest city is Quito.
The Equator passes through Ecuador.