The indigenous peoples of the Putumayo zone have issued a formal plea to the government of Colombia and the international community, requesting that the government not undertake a massive planned campaign of aerial spraying of illicit coca plants in the territory of Putumayo. Their main concerns are the negative effects of the herbicide, glyphosate, on their small subsistence farms, local flora and fauna and the region's biodiversity in general. They also expressed concern that people will be displaced from their homes by the chemicals. Among the groups who inhabit the Putumayo zone are Muráis, Ingas, Quechuas, Pastos, Awas,Paeces, Emberá, Siona, Muinanes, Yanakonas, Kamentzá, Koreguajes, and Kofanes. These peoples have formal representation in the Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the Putumayo Zone (OZIP) and in the 128 Indigenous Governing Councils in the Department of Putumayo.
