In June 2007, Ecuador offered to avoid oil development in a tract of biodiverse rainforest if other nations and green groups were able to pony up $350 million a year for a decade. Reaction to the pay-to-protect idea was positive, but a twice-bumped-back deadline is coming up in Dec. 2008, and still no funding is in place. The oil field in question lies within Yasuni National Park, home to many endangered flora and fauna, and is officially designated as an “untouchable zone” that is supposed to be a safe haven for reclusive indigenous tribes. Says Huaorani tribe member Penti Baihua, “If the oil companies destroy all of the Yasuni, where will we live?”
