Estimating Deforestation Due to Coca Cultivation in the Peruvian Amazon (2011-2021)

Abstract

The largest negative environmental impact in the Peruvian Amazon (PA) is deforestation. To date, more than 8.4 million hectares have already been deforested, and they continue to grow. Deforestation for the 2011-2020 was 50% higher than that of the 2001-2010 period. Deforestation in the Peruvian Amazon is linked to several factors that include agricultural activities, logging, petroleum drilling, u rban growth and road building as the major drivers of the process. Illicit activities such as illegal gold mining with a strong impact in Madre de Dios and illegal logging and illicit coca cultivation throughout the Amazon region are also playing an increasingly major role in deforestation of the Peruvian Amazon. Illicit coca has spread through the PA through several stages since the 1970’s. There are no detailed records of coca areas before the 80’s. As of 2001 with the initiation of UNODC monitoring we have detailed information regarding location and magnitude of coca growing areas. Beginning in 2014, there is a more detailed identification of the GPS polygons of coca plots that allows for a better analysis of the behavior and impact of coca cultivation. Promoted by drug trafficking organizations, coca cultivation improvements have resulted in the adaptation of coca cultivars to continuously lower elevation levels. Over the past two decades, more that 70% of coca has been established at lower levels than 400 m.a.s.l. of the Amazon basin. Increases in productivity and coca yields per hectare, as well as the coca to cocaine conversion ratios have also been achieved by these organizations. Drug promoters plan and direct the location of coca planting and cocaine production. They study and select new production areas based on criteria such as agronomic conditions, road and river access, the absence of government security forces, and access to labor. In addition, they finance the migration of “cocaleros”, the participation of settlers (“colonos”) already in the area, the coopting of indigenous communities, etc. They also facilitate and finance the entire production process, purchase the coca leaves, and provide chemical precursors for cocaine base paste (CBP) and cocaine hydrochloride (CHC) production. Regarding deforestation, it is evident that slash and burn process related to coca cultivation in the u pper and lower Peruvian Selva (Selva Alta and Selva Baja), have taken place. While some efforts have been made to quantify the deforestation effect of coca, only qualitative approximations have been made to date. With the information available as of today, we have developed a methodology that allows for a more objective approach to quantify deforestation for the 2011-2021 period. Total Deforestation in the PA (TDPA) for the 2011-2021 period was 1,722,355 ha. In the area of interest for this evaluation, that is, where coca is grown, Total Deforestation in Coca Areas (TDCA) was 1,096,192 ha or 63% of the TDPA. Direct Deforestation from Coca (DDC) in TDCA was 83,232 ha (i.e., the planted coca area) corresponding to 7.6% of TDCA and 4.8% of TDPA. If we consider DDC plus the Deforestation Associated with Coca (DAC) or a buffer zone of 100 m surrounding the plantation, the DDC + DAC rises to 296,297 ha or 27% of TDCA and 17.2% of the TDPA. If we further increase the distance surrounding the plantation itself to 500 m the DDC + DAC goes u p to 438,250 ha or 40% of TDCA and 25.4% of TDPA. For our analysis, the buffer zone of 300 m has been considered, so it can be concluded with a certain level of confidence that the deforestation caused by coca leaf crops in Peru, between the years 2011-2021 was 385,122 hectares, which represents 35.1% of Total Deforestation in Coca Areas (TDCA), and 22.4% of Total Deforestation in the Peruvian Amazon (TDPA). The rise of illicit coca areas has resulted in increased invasion of Natural Protected Areas (NPA) and their buffer zones as well as those of indigenous communities, logging concessions and natural reserves. Coca cultivation and drug manufacturing have additional detrimental environmental impacts stemming from the intensive cultivation techniques depleting the soil; intensive u se of fertilizers and agrochemicals (pesticides, insecticides, fungicides); use of chemical precursors for the preparation of drugs that is carried out in the same growing areas; final disposal of agrochemical and chemical precursors and their containers as well as detritus from coca maceration. The adverse impacts affect the environment throughout: air, soil and bodies of water, biodiversity and people’s health. The growing impact of coca growing on deforestation in the PA requires an urgent response from the Government of Peru. All national and local public, private and civil society actors, and especially the affected indigenous communities need to be involved in the design and implementation of solutions to this problem. It is not only possible to develop early warning systems for new deforestation in order to take immediate remedial action, but it is also possible to enlist and promote active vigilance by indigenous communities, identify criminal organizations that promote illicit crops, eradicate these crops, and implement alternative development programs with sufficient resources to restore the affected areas. International cooperation can play an important role in remedying this situation.