Peru Indigenous patrols see success & struggles in combating illegal miners

Mongabay
Mongabay
3h ago 4 views
The Wampís Indigenous nation formed Charip to fight illegal mining in their territory, achieving some success but facing significant challenges.
Peru Indigenous patrols see success & struggles in combating illegal miners
A What happened
The Wampís Indigenous nation in Peru created the Charip monitoring group in 2024 to address illegal gold mining and logging in their territory. Charip has seen some success, including the arrest of police officers involved in illegal activities and the confiscation of mining equipment. However, the group faces challenges such as a lack of financial resources and unpaid volunteers, leading to a significant drop in personnel. Many members have left to support their families, leaving only a few committed individuals. The Wampís territory is heavily affected by illegal mining, with little state support for enforcement. Charip members express frustration over the absence of military or police presence to assist in protecting their land.

Key insights

  • 1

    Charip's Formation

    Established in 2024 to combat illegal mining.

  • 2

    Successes and Challenges

    Achieved arrests but struggles with funding and personnel.

  • 3

    State Abandonment

    Wampís feel unsupported by the Peruvian government.

Takeaways

While Charip has made strides in protecting Wampís territory from illegal mining, ongoing financial and personnel challenges hinder its effectiveness, highlighting the need for greater state support.