Disregarding Environmental Law: Petroleum Development in Protected Natural Areas and Indigenous Homelands in the Ecuadorian Amazon

The Oriente region of Ecuador is one of the most biologically diverse rain forests in the world. This Article explores the negative effects of oil development on the Oriente\u27s environment. The author discusses the direct devastation oil development wreaks on both the environment and the indigenous people of the Oriente. This Article also discusses the collateral consequences of oil development which include massive road building and colonization of the rain forest. The author explains the deficiencies in existing environmental regulations in the Oriente, and suggests the need for extensive study of the environmental impact of oil development and the need for stricter regulations