Ecuador nature reserve will take years to recover after oil exit-minister
QUITO, Sept 19 (Reuters) – Flora and fauna affected by oil production in Ecuador’s Yasuni Amazon reserve will take many years to recover, Environment Minister Jose Davalos said on Tuesday, raising concerns that a rushed closure of extractive operations would lead to environmental damage.
Ecuador is preparing to shut down block 43-ITT, which is operated by state-owned Petroecuador, after a majority of Ecuadoreans voted to close the project in August.
The government of outgoing President Guillermo Lasso, whose replacement will be elected on Oct. 15, is preparing a plan to close the block – which produces about 58,000 barrels per day (bpd) – for the country’s next leader to implement.