Our planet is facing a real crisis and it’s not something we can just turn a blind eye to anymore or pass it off as “nature will sort itself out”. We all should be doing our part to save our planet, especially the rainforests, as they are critical to sustaining all life on our planet. They are what create all the wonderful oxygen that we thrive on. The Amazon Rainforest is the largest in the world, however, every year it gets that bit smaller as a result of destruction that is increasing at a faster rate every year. Recently, a tribe from the Amazon Rainforest are doing something about the crisis.

The Waorani people are a native tribe of Ecuador and have lived there for centuries. However, in recent years they have been embroiled in a legal battle with a big oil company that everyone thought was hopeless.  

The Ecuadorian government had been planning to drill for oil in an area that spanned several million acres of rainforest. But the Waorani tribe who live in Pastaza, an area that would be affected, have put a stop to the plans.

The tribe have stalled the auction of the area where 16 oil blocks would have been put. Plus they have protected half a million more acres across their territory from being drilled on.

A spokesperson for the Waorani of Pastaza, Oswando Nenquimo, made the following statement:

“Today we have protected our forest from oil drilling; we have protected our water from contamination; we have protected our children from sickness. This is a legal precedent for indigenous rights, but the fight is far from over. The government will appeal because they still want the oil beneath our land. Indigenous Nations across the Amazon and the world must band together to protect our homes.”

This ruling is an important step for the safety of the rainforest and environmental preservation and protection, as well as the rights of native peoples.

Let us know what you think of the ruling.