Ecuador : Indicators

The Constitution of Ecuador (2008) and the Unified Text of Secondary Environmental Legislation (TULAS, 2003), guarantee the participation of indigenous peoples and communities in decision-making on activities to be developed in its territories. The text of the TULAS may change, but it is not known whether the new text will refer to customary laws. According to information published in the SIGOB, the environment minister will present proposals for changes in the TULAS. The text of the proposal and the guidelines for possible changes are not available.

The codified forest law and the environmental management law state that indigenous peoples, black or Afro-Ecuadorian peoples shall have priority in the use of community lands and forest products, and that the local authorities must consult with these peoples before issuing environmental policies on and for demarcation, management and administration of conservation areas and ecological reserves. The mechanisms for applying these laws are not clear.