CAMPAIGNERS in Ecuador celebrated a referendum win on Monday that prohibits all types of mining activities in the Andean Choco.

The victory safeguards the biosphere reserve located in the north-east of Ecuador.

Over two million voters took part in Sunday’s referendum, held alongside presidential and parliamentary elections.

The National Electoral Council reported that 68 per cent had voted to ban mining in the Choco forests, with only 31 per cent of voters favouring its continuation.

Andean Choco Community co-ordinator Inty Arcos said: “This is a historic day, which means a before and an after for the Quito metropolitan district.

“It’s an important message, especially for politicians. It expresses our desire for a different model of development based on more sustainable life alternatives.”

Ecological Action president Ivonne Ramos said the referendum results would help preserve an important biosphere reserve, which is “a crucial step to prevent life-threatening situations generated by climate change on the planet.”

Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador president Leonidas Iza said: “The Ecuadorian people, mindful of life, in solidarity with our uncontacted Tagaeri, Taromenane and Dugakaeri brothers and sisters, said ‘Yes to Yasuni’ in this referendum.”

He added: “We have saved their territory, their lives, their food sovereignty and their medicines in the sacred Yasuni forest.”

The victory was also celebrated by other South American indigenous campaigners.

Julio Cusurichi Palacios of the Interethnic Association of the Peruvian Amazon said: “It is extremely important to protect the territory of uncontacted tribes who share land in Ecuador, in the Yasuni National Park, and in Peru, in the Napo Tigre Indigenous Reserve, to guarantee their rights to life, health, survival and territory, in compliance with international frameworks that governments must implement.

Peru’s government has officially recognised five uncontacted tribes in the Napo Tigre area of the country.