Update from Peru

The Peruvian Amazon is threatened by oil and gas operations, palm oil plantations, and artisanal gold mining. ELAW Staff Scientist Meche Lu was in Iquitos last week, the largest city in the Peruvian rainforest.

ELAW Staff Scientist, Meche Lu

Meche is collaborating with partners at Derecho Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (DAR), native peoples, and local officials to improve decision-making in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.

Meche conducted three training workshops in Iquitos on how to review EIA studies with different groups, including: students, community members, local officials, and non-profit organizations. She is also collaborating with indigenous federations to access the technical information they need to understand the environmental and health impacts of extractive industries in the region.

We will keep you informed of her progress!

All the best,

Maggie Keenan
Communications Director & Fellows Program Coordinator