The community of Capirona faces an unprecedented water crisis due to illegal mining in the Ecuadorian Amazon. This situation represents one of the largest cases of water pollution in indigenous territories.
Illegal gold extraction has turned vital rivers into toxic sources, compromising the health, economy, and survival of the local community.
In response, the inhabitants of Capirona must seek new sources of water, often beyond their reach, which does not meet their basic needs. This health crisis also affects traditional economic activities such as agriculture and fishing, vital for their livelihood.
A kichwa indigenous community is left without access to water due to the advance of illegal mining with mercury in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
Traditionally, the residents of Capirona in the Ecuadorian Amazon have depended on the Puní and Shalkana rivers for their daily lives. These rivers were essential for bathing, cooking, and drinking. Since 2021, the Puní River has changed from crystal clear to a turbid flow, unfit for human consumption.
Consequences of the water crisis due to illegal mining
This change coincides with the boom of illegal mining in upstream areas, transforming the ecosystem and leaving 300 people without safe access to water.
Between 2017 and 2024, mining activity in the region increased by 2700%, with expansions covering more than 100 hectares.
Independent investigations suggest that 99% of these mining operations are illegal, conducted without state control or environmental management.
These activities include use of heavy machinery, deforestation, and waste dumping in the rivers, altering water quality and the ecological balance.
Studies indicate concentrations of mercury up to 8600 times higher than permitted levels, along with other metals like chromium and zinc. This metal, used to extract gold, can transform into methylmercury, a highly toxic substance that accumulates in fish and aquatic organisms.
Prolonged exposure to these pollutants poses a serious risk to human health, particularly for communities that directly depend on the river.
Residents of Capirona have reported skin problems, infections, and chronic diseases, especially in children.
Additionally, they report at least two deaths related to water pollution, although official reports do not confirm a direct connection, leading to distrust and outrage. The absence of clear responses from authorities increases the feeling of abandonment.
The impact of mining goes beyond visible water. Rivers are complex systems that include sediments, underground areas, and riparian habitats. Mining activity disrupts these components, causing siltation, erosion, and habitat loss.
This leads to a progressive deterioration of the system, affecting biodiversity and the river’s regeneration capacity. Pollution has completely transformed life in Capirona.
The community no longer consumes river water and relies on insufficient tanks and external supplies, which only cover a few days.
Moreover, their agricultural products have lost value due to the perception of contamination, reducing their income and forcing changes in their livelihoods. Even their diet has changed, now relying on external products instead of river fish.
For the kichwa people, the river is not just a resource but a central aspect of their identity. The disappearance of sacred species, such as anacondas, symbolizes a deep rupture with their worldview.
Pollution not only destroys the physical ecosystem but also the cultural and spiritual bond with the territory.
Despite institutional neglect, the community has initiated actions to address the crisis.
They have sought support from universities, organizations, and foundations to develop water collection and treatment systems, including experimental filtration projects.
These initiatives reflect a strategy of resistance that goes beyond survival: they defend their territory, identity, and right to water.
Experts warn that what is happening in Capirona is not an isolated case. River pollution from extractive activities can be repeated in other regions, affecting communities that directly depend on these ecosystems.
The case highlights a structural problem: the lack of control over illegal mining and the vulnerability of water systems to extractive pressure.
The situation in Capirona reflects a broader issue affecting various Amazonian communities, where pressure on natural resources endangers both the environment and the survival of local populations.
Experts emphasize the need to strengthen surveillance, enforce the law, and promote sustainable alternatives that allow the preservation of one of the planet’s most important ecosystems.
By – https://noticiasambientales.com/environment-en/water-crisis-in-capirona-due-to-illegal-mining-in-the-ecuadorian-amazon/