Pastaza, Ecuador: Low-emission rural development (LED-R) at a glance

Largest province in Ecuador by area, with country’s highest biodiversity Contains 35% of Yasuni National Park (YNP), occupied by Waorani indigenous group – site of ongoing conflict over oil extraction 78% forest cover (of which 67% is primary forest); highest in Ecuador 7 constitutionally-recognized indigenous nationalities occupy 80% of provincial area (~2 million ha), as legally endorsed in the provincial Territorial Development & Zoning Plan (PDOT), & have exclusive land use rights Significant petroleum production since 1970s has contributed to land use changes, migration & settlement activities by the Provincial Decentralized Autonomous Government (GAD) SocioBosque Program provides income for local communities (LC) in 30% of Pastaza