For this indigenous community in Bolivia, promises of running water and electricity offered by a mining company never materialized. Instead, the community was subjected to environmentally destructive mining practices and explosions that threatened their livelihood—Brazil nuts. The community leaders decided to fight back, seeking external help from technical advisors, and holding countless meetings within the community in order to raise awareness.
N-Map produced this film as part of our Beneath the Surface series, created to inform rural communities facing mining about their rights, and empower them with legally sound strategies for protecting themselves. Each video in the series features a relevant story from different communities around the world, and exposes the damaging effects of mining, while highlighting the power of unity in the face of powerful multinational corporations. People in Bolivia have a message to anyone facing an extractive project: Be proactive in seeking the help you need to understand the Environmental Impact Assessment process, and hold meetings to educate every member of your community. Being and staying organized is the best way to defend your land.
See Video - https://Vimeo.com/208742487