- Projects
- Tackling environmental challenges in Bolivia
La Asunta, a rapidly growing autonomous municipality in Bolivia, is facing environmental challenges. It consistently attracts new habitants due to its fertile lands and promising opportunities. However, the town struggles with issues like clandestine gold mining, occasional water shortages, and a longstanding tradition of coca cultivation. These factors, coupled with the municipality’s expansion, have led to a pressing waste problem. PUM and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) are working hand in hand with the community to find sustainable solutions to this waste challenge and encourage local farmers to transition to new activities.
La Asunta, a fast-growing autonomous municipality, attracts immigrants due to fertile soil and a declining quality of life elsewhere in Bolivia. The town’s river location harbours clandestine gold mining, using mercury, which causes environmental concerns and landslide risks. Additionally, the city faces occasional drought and water shortages because of its tropical rainforest setting. The region’s notable feature is extensive cultivation of coca leaves, rooted in tradition and used for various local products. Excessive coca production persists, despite efforts to shift farmers toward crops like coffee. The municipality of La Asunta has joined forces with PUM and UNODC in addressing this waste issue.
Three scenarios
PUM expert Herman Gels collaborated with the local team on developing a strategic plan including an investment proposal. Herman: “As input for the strategic plan, we explored three scenarios for the next 20 years in La Asunta. We did this in consultation with representatives of the urban inhabitants, of the rural civilians and of the Faculty of Forestry and Environment Engineering. Conclusions from the analysis indicate that ‘Business as usual’ would be unbearable because of serious environmental and health risks. The ’Hardware’ scenario, which means the municipality would only invest in technical infrastructure and operational costs, may prove insufficient over time and lead to increased unpayable investments. The “Polluter Pays” principle, involving citizens and companies in responsible waste management, emerges as the most sustainable approach. This strategy will include enforcement against illegal mining of gold and dumping of or not properly separating waste.”
Waste management follow-up
Immediate actions to be taken include completing cost models for the above-mentioned scenarios; involving community representatives in preparation, decision-making and public campaigns; and collaborating with state ministries to address mining-related issues and environmental monitoring. Other recommendations focus on developing a long-term waste strategy with an emphasis on reducing waste supply, ensuring proper collection, and processing waste fractions through effective waste separation. PUM expert Hans will remotely monitor the process. providing feedback and advice. To ensure a sustainable solution to La Asunta’s environmental challenges and waste management policy, PUM plans to continue the cooperation with experts in the fields of financing, legislation, and policy development.
The broader goal
Regarding the broader goal of reducing coca production, PUM continues the collaboration with the municipality of La Asunta and UNODC. They join forces to encourage local coca growers to shift to alternative activities like coffee production and beekeeping. Ron Lamain, PUM expert in Agriculture, travelled to Bolivia to collaborate with the Federation of Integrated Agricultural and Livestock Coffee Producers on Fairtrade certification, European regulations and the use of organic pesticides. During his efforts he closely worked with team from the UNODC in La Asunta.
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