Comunidad Ancestral Kichwa Tzawata-Ila-Chukapi

The Kichwa Tzawata-Ila-Chukapi Ancestral Community is located in the Ecuadorian Amazon, in the Carlos Julio Arosemena Tola canton, Napo province. The community is home to the Anzu Runas, who belong to the Kichwa nationality of Napo. They have lived on, cared for and defended their territory on the slopes of the Llanganates mountains for generations. They have a deep connection to the territory, a bond that is central to their daily lives, food, and livelihood. The land, the forest, the rivers, and their Amazonian agroforestry plots—known as chakras—are essential elements of the community that sustain their food sovereignty, traditional medicine and spiritual practices. They are organized through a Community Assembly—the highest authority in their territory—the Governing Council, and other community structures such as their indigenous guard.

Their defence of the territory has become more important as they have spent decades seeking to ensure that their forms of organisation, respect and ancestral ownership of their territory are recognised and respected. This is particularly relevant in the context of companies and interests in mining, tourism, and agro-industry seeking to impose their economic models on the community.

The community currently faces serious threats of eviction stemming from actions initiated by Terraturismo, S.A., a company seeking to take control of the territory and forcibly displace community members. Since June 10, 2026, the community has been resisting eviction actions carried out illegally and directly by Terraturismo, S.A., a situation that has made them the target of threats, attacks and intimidation, including the criminalisation of several community members, among them the community's president, Kawak Wayra Alvarado Andy.