Spatial planning of the timber industry and the social-environmental and economic impact in Pucallpa-Ucayali (Peru), 2000-2019

Abstract

This research was conducted in the districts of Calleria, Manantay and Yarinacocha in the province of Calleria, department of Ucayali (Peru). The goal was to assess the spatial planning of the timber industry and the social-environmental and economic impact in the 2000-2019 period with the aim of improving the quality of life and the environment. For this purpose, spatial analysis was performed using cartographic modelling and the buffer tool was applied to determine the zones of influence of the pollutants from the timber industry, for which the timber industry locations were georeferenced and digital maps were integrated for the spatial analysis of the three districts. The results revealed that the timber companies were mainly concentrated in the district of Manantay, followed by Calleria and Yarinacocha. The locations of the industries have no established order - the sites are spatially dispersed. However, the municipalities are drawing up land-use plans to zone urban areas, and they are acclimatising to a certain extent - for example, charcoal kilns are located at a distance from the towns, and companies are selling sawdust for chipboard manufacturing. Nevertheless, what is lacking is control of the wetlands and wastewater treatment. As a result, respiratory diseases are at “very high” levels (26%, 50 metres away) and “high” (42%, 100 metres away). The environmental impact is “very high” (37%, 50 metres) and “high” (47%, 100 metres). Dumping of waste is “very high” (37%, 50 metres) and “high” (47%, 100 metres); and the effect on vegetation cover is “very high” (5%, 50 metres) and “high” (32%, 100 metres). With regard to the socioeconomic status of the surveyed population, this was measured by the materials used in the construction of residents’ homes, where wood and cement construction prevails at a medium level (79%, 150 metres), in comparison to other building materials. In other words, the nearer the houses are to the timber industries, the greater the effects of contaminants, and the further away, the lower the effects in terms of industry, nature and society.