However, Chacaltaya's glacier has been receding at a worrisome and rapid pace. The effects of climate change on this glacier and others in the region have been part of the investigation by Higher University of San Andrés professor Edson Ramírez, who concludes a direct connection [es] between global warming and the disappearance of the glacier.

Ramírez and his team have also been studying another nearby glacier that is undergoing similar changes and about the effect on the local population. The Tuni Condoriri glacier is melting at a rapid pace, affecting alpine enthusiasts, but also affecting a vulnerable migrant population that depends on it for drinking water and agricultural activities.

The reservoir that collects the water from the glacier provides 80% of the drinking water to the city of El Alto and the outskirts of La Paz. According to the most recent census, El Alto has a population of 827,000 people [es], which is increasing every year at a rate of 5.1% per year. According to journalist and blogger Mónica Oblitas, this rate is more than double the national average [es]. Experts are predicting water shortages and a premium for water, with some people predicting that water rationing is imminent [es]. The team from Observador Global [es] (Global Observer) created a 6-part video series about the effects of future water shortages in this region.

The city is home to migrants from the Aymara indigenous communities on the Bolivian Altiplano, who settle in El Alto, often in impoverished conditions. Bolivian blogger Cristina Quisbert of the blog Indigenous Bolivia describes the situation that many residents face in terms of suitable drinking water:

Additional conditions difficult access to water. A lot of people arrive from rural area to El Alto and establish wherever they can. Because of lack of money, they live in neighborhoods where there is neither drinkable water nor sewer system. Some of them dig a hole which should be about three metres deep until they find water. More or less in November, it starts rainy time and it is other possibility for neighbors to collect water. At the end, lack of water added to existent levels of poverty many times result in illnesses.

There is an heterogeneity of situations. I have water at home but some of my neighbors don't. This is a serious problem for the families. In my case, I share water with other family. Basilio and Juana have four children. They are renters. The house where they live doesn't have drinkable water. Whenever they need, they use a hose to collect water from my house and at end of the month we divide the cost of water invoice to pay.

However, the Tuni Condoriri, not only provides drinking water to the city, but it also provides valuable water for agricultural activities on the Altiplano. If sustainable agricultural activities decrease because of the lack of water, many more rural residents may seek opportunities in El Alto, where they may face similar water shortages, while raising demand.

350.org activists climb to the Chacaltaya glacier in Bolivia in preparation for a major event on October 24. Photo used under a Creative Commons license.

It is the high-profile image of the Chacaltaya glacier that is drawing attention from local government official and other activist groups to the problem of climate change in the Bolivian Occident. A recent local event associated with the 350.org campaign was advertised on Facebook [es], inviting Bolivians to take an excursion to the Chacaltaya glacier to see for themselves the effects.

Finally, Oblitas concludes with the following questions [es]:

Chacaltaya ya no está y pronto dejarán de existir otros glaciares, ¿está el país preparado para esas pérdidas?, ¿somos conscientes de la importancia de tomar un rol activo e inmediato contra el calentamiento? Para muchos, el cambio climático no es un fenómeno global y no creen sentirse afectados, pero lo cierto es que absolutamente todos estamos en riesgo y no todos podemos enfrentarlo en las mismas condiciones. La lucha continúa, aunque ya sea tarde para lugares como Chacaltaya.

However, some of these volunteers are now leading the charge to protect Machia Park, as there is a current roads project that cuts through the middle of the Park. This new road is being built by the local municipality, so that it would make it easier for coca-growers to transport their crop. The conflict continues between the organization and local authorities, with critics of the plan saying that the project did not conduct the necessary Environmental Impact study, and that arrangements were not made to accommodate the displaced animals.

Photo of Monkey in Machia Park by thekjkev and used under a Creative Commons license.

Some volunteers have been appealing directly through their blog at Inti Wara Yassi, describing what areas would be at risk:

The monkey park, where several species of monkey are cared for and fed – capuchins, spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys.
Areas where tortoices, agoutis, coatis are kept.
The spider monkey park.
The enclosures for three of our felines – Leoncio, Gato and Luna
The “mirador” area, where abused and mistreated capuchin monkeys are rehabilitated.
The enclosure for the endangered Spectacled Bear.
Many of the trails which are used for walking the cats.

This is why we have concluded that no consideration has been made for the wellbeing of the animals, not to mention the fact that Parque Machia is considered an area of National Heritage, meaning no damage to the biological, genetic and ecological diversity should be allowed.

The Democracy Center blog notes that some of the volunteers have employed a “well-known Bolivian protest tactic, the road blockade, to try to stop construction of a new highway through the park.”

Gustavo Cardoso of the blog Observancia [es] credits Inti Wara Yassi for helping preserve nature in this area, which has provided direct benefits to the local municipality, which is the same entity that is building the new road.

Paradójicamente, en esta etapa donde la comunidad internacional, busca la conservación de áreas al máximo, todavía hay quienes conciben a ultranza que el desarrollo pasa por “dominar la naturaleza” tal cual se fraguaba en el siglo XIX, y que nos llevó a un estado de cosas que lamentamos hoy en día.

View of Villa Tunari from the Machia Park look-out by Nebarnix. Used under a Creative Commons license.

The blog Bolivia Bella notes that conservationist Jane Goodall is scheduled to visit the park and could provide international attention on the case. She also sums up why the park should remain untouched:

In any case, I AM against the building of THIS road. It's not right. It's a national park and nature preserve. It's very name indicates it has been set aside to AVOID its destruction. For me, that's enough reason to not agree with it. Period.

The sad thing is, I visited Villa Tunari several times and I saw first hand how Inti Wara Yassi volunteers cared for and loved the animals back to health. I was told most of the animals rescued and received at Machía were taken from their original habitats and sold to urban dwellers who, after realizing how large they grow, how dangerous they can be, how much care and food they need, or how long they actually live, abandon them or simply lock them up in cages for the rest of their lives, or worse, abuse them.

Many of the animals have been severely abused and will not be able to live on their own in the wild – ever. Others may be re-inserted but this is a very long and gradual process. You can’t just move animals to a new place. It requires a lot of logistics and they many never be able to adapt to a new situation. In the case of some of these animals haven't they been put through enough already as it is!

Even though the life of a dog may not always be easy, as one blogger reminds his readers. Alberto Medrano of El Alto Noticias [es] writes that “we should not forget that in El Alto and La Paz there are a lot of street dogs, who are sick that pass away at any time.”

There are many dogs throughout the country that are beloved by their owners, and this day is a chance for bloggers to express that through citizen media. However, to begin, the blog of the Archbishop of La Paz provides a bit of background information about the Saint [es].

Seguro que tus padres o tus abuelos te habrán ya contado la preciosa narración del perro de San Roque. Si te fijas en la estampa, nuestro santo va acompañado de un simpático chucho. ¿Quien fue este perro?. Pues … fue su salvador. Cuando hoy en día, sobre todo en verano, se abandonan por las calles tantos perros que nos han mostrado su cariño a lo largo del año, bueno será explicarles a aquellos que hacen este tipo de salvajadas la historia de este animal que le salvó la vida a un santo tan importante como fue Roque.

Se explica, que cuando nuestro santo se trasladó al bosque para no infectar de esta manera a los vecinos de Piacenza, recibía cada día la visita de un perro que le llevaba un panecillo. El animalito lo tomaba cada día de la mesa de su amo, un hombre bien acomodado llamado Gottardo Pallastrelli, el cuál, después de ver la escena repetidamente, decidió un día seguir a su mascota. De esta forma, penetró en el bosque donde encontró al pobre moribundo. (…) Cabe decir que otras versiones populares afirman que fue el mismo perro quien le curó, después de lamerle la herida de su pierna varias veces cuando el santo estaba en el bosque.

Photo of Tomoyo by Edwin Velásquez and used under a Creative Commons license.

Some Bolivian bloggers took this opportunity to write about their own pets, and share stories about how they impacted their lives. Edwin Velásquez writes about his dog and whose company is always enjoyed [es]:

Tomoyo, tenia otro nombre, otros dueños y otra vida. Tenía que ser sacrificada por sus anteriores dueños, porque estos tenían muchos perros y ya no podían cuidarlos a todos, al saber esto, mi padre la compro, y después me la regalo. Yo le puse un nuevo nombre, la bañe, le corte el pelo y le dí de comer. Tomoyo, estaba aterrorizada y por dos días no quiso comer, esto me preocupo mucho, pero con paciencia y cariño, Tomoyo, se adapto a su nueva vida.

Another blogger, Maria Cristina Moreno in Santa Cruz also takes the opportunity to wish her dog, Danilo, well. She writes about the best way to celebrate the day:

Asi que hoy más que nunca hagan felices a sus mascotas con caminatas, buena comida, agua fresca y muchos mimos… porque los perros son los mejores amigos del hombre…

She also took the following video:

Finally, José Luis from the city of Yacuiba stayed up late one night researching stories about St. Rocco and writes [es] that “(honoring dogs) shouldn't be a questioning of celebrating on only day, but a question of celebrating every day.”

Blog da Amazonia [pt] has been following the case and reported:

Milhares de brasileiros que vivem em território boliviano estão ameaçados de expulsão porque Evo Morales, sob a alegação de garantir a soberania do seu país, quer assentar 4 mil famílias de camponeses oriundos de La Paz e Cochabamba, em 200 mil hectares de terras localizadas na região fronteiriça.

As primeiras vítimas são as famílias de pequenos posseiros brasileiros expulsos do departamento de Pando. Cerca de 40 famílias já chegaram ao município de Plácido de Castro, a 97 quilômetros de Rio Branco. Neste ponto, o estado do Acre e o departamento boliviano de Pando são separados pelo Rio Abunã.

Some settlers have been forced to leave their homes and land, whereas others have threatened to set fire to their possessions before handing them over to the Bolivians. The situations is portrayed by Blog da Amazonia [pt] which shows the despair of the heads of families, who have been investing money and time into those lands for more than 40 years:

Threatened rubber tapper Djalma Soares left his belongings in BoliviaPhoto by: Alisson Ferreira e Altino Machado/ Published with permission

O seringueiro Djalma Soares, 55 anos de idade, vivia em território boliviano desde os nove anos. Em 46 anos de vida lá, jamais acumulou qualquer riqueza como seringueiro e coletor de castanha-do-brasil.

- Os funcionários do governo boliviano disseram que iriam subir o rio e na volta não queriam mais me encontrar na minha colocação. Eu falei: tudo bem, eu volto pro meu Brasil. Trouxe uma rede, um lençol e três panelas. O resto ficou tudo: bacia, machado, terçado, cabrita e outros instrumentos de trabalho. Lá eu dava meu jeito de sobreviver. Não sei como será minha vida aqui na cidade, sem emprego.

Although promising that Brazilians who lose their property will be resettled in an area more distant from the Bolivian border, Evo Morales' government will not offer any compensation for belongings such as houses or work done on the land. Nor will the government pay for properties where Brazilians are settled either. Because of this, there are some people who said that they will not leave the land in a peaceful way, as Blog da Amazonia [pt] also reports in an interview with another victim:

O que fazer então?
A Bolívia não vai ficar com isso de graça, não. Tem muito brasileiro revoltado com essa situação. Eu não vou deixar nada lá. Eu não quero ir para um lugar qualquer que eles vão oferecer. Eu prefiro tocar fogo na minha casa. Toco fogo em tudo e venho embora pra recomeçar a vida.
O senhor tem coragem de fazer isso mesmo?
Tenho, sim. Eu não tenho condição de gastar o que não tenho. Eu gastei, por exemplo, R$ 7 mil para construir minha casa. Eu não vou deixar ela na chave para um boliviano chegar e se apossar dela.

Tem mais gente pensando assim?
Tem gente com pensamento pior do que o meu.
Como assim?
Tem muita família de brasileiros pensando em fazer besteira com os bolivianos. Tem gente que tá pensando em ficar lá e matar esses caras. Quando estão no Brasil, os bolivianos parecem santos, mas lá são muito desumanos. Nesta semana mesmo eu vi eles tomando borracha. Um seringueiro vinha descendo o rio numa canoa e eles foram lá e tomaram a borracha. Chefe, eu pelo menos tenho uma partezinha aqui no Brasil, mas muitos tudo o que tem tá jogado lá dentro da Bolívia. Como é que alguém assim vai sair com uma mão no fecho e outra no cano, sem ter para onde ir nem onde ficar? Nenhum de nós vai mais pra dentro da Bolívia, ninguém quer isso.

Many settlers have been disturbed, even though the Bolivian government has set next December 14 as the deadline for the problem to be solved. According to Blog da Amazonia, Brazil has invested $10.2 million in the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to tackle specifically this problem within Bolivia.

There are blogs, such as Tomando mais uma [pt], who are deeply disappointed with the situation and the way in which the Brazilian government is dealing with it. Not only does the blog highlight Evo Morales alleged connection with cocaine growers, but also says that electioneering and political matters are behind the banishment:

Homens, mulheres e crianças estão sendo forçados por funcionários bolivianos a abandonarem suas posses apenas com a roupa do corpo. Isso porque o departamento de Pando é tradicionalmente de oposição ao governo de Evo (…)

E pior, essa “grande marcha da coca” que está resultando na expulsão dos brasileiros, ocorre menos de um mês depois de Lula sancionar a Lei da Anistia Migratória, que autoriza a residência provisória de cidadãos estrangeiros em situação irregular no Brasil, beneficiando centenas de milhares de bolivianos que perambulam por aqui tocando flauta andina. Cadê a reciprocidade?

Ô Amorim, vê se faz alguma coisa que preste…

Brazilian Francisco Siqueira and his family were also expelled from Bolivia. Photo by Alisson Ferreira e Altino Machado/ Published with permission

Ednei Muniz [pt] adds that the upcoming elections, this December, are the main reason behind Evo Morales actions:

Políticos de oposição a Evo Morales, por sua vez, segundo dizem os jornais bolivianos, acusam o Executivo de utilizar a reforma agrária para tentar modificar a tendência eleitoral de Pando, onde candidatos opositores sempre venceram.

Dizem os oposicionistas, que Evo planeja transferir para o Departamento de Pando apenas os militantes do ‘Movimento Rumo ao Socialismo’, grupo político que dá suporte ao Presidente. As eleições gerais ocorrerão em 06 de dezembro próximo – e como a Bolívia ainda não superou o fantasma do golpe é bom o governo brasileiro ficar de olhos bem abertos – ainda mais agora diante da possibilidade real de envolvimento de brasileiros nos conflitos, em função, claro, das graves questões fundiárias que se avizinham diante das medidas adotadas por Morales.

Se não bastasse todo esse cenário, os conflitos em Pando - de setembro de 2008 - envolvendo camponeses favoráveis ao governo e opositores liderados por Leopoldo Fernandes deixaram feridas profundas na região, e com elas também a certeza de que o problema deve – considerando a tradição boliviana – reaparecer nas eleições de dezembro.