The decision follows a petition by the Ecuadorian city of Cuenca to allow a ballot referendum on mining near water sources, including near the Tomebamba, Machángara, Norcay, Yanuncay, and Tarqui rivers.
Countries: Ecuador
Giant tortoise breeding program in the Galapagos Islands saves species from brink of extinction
In the 1960s, 15 tortoises were all that remained of the entire species. After 55 years of an ambitious breeding program, there are now more than 1,900 tortoises and they will be brought back to their home in the Galapagos Islands.
Ecuador legalizes same-sex marriage
The highest court in Ecuador has ruled in favor of the legalization of same-sex unions, in a major victory for the LGBTQ community.
Ecuador Amazon tribe win first victory against oil companies
Ecuador’s Waorani indigenous tribe won their first victory against big oil companies in a ruling that blocks entry onto ancestral lands for oil exploration.
Iguanas successfully reintroduced to Galapagos island after 200 years
More than 1,400 land iguanas, scientific name Conolophus subcristatus, were taken from the neighboring North Seymour Island and released on Santiago Island between January 3 and 4.