Peru's government has declared a state of emergency in 16 Amazon rainforest communities due to oil spills in the northeastern Loreto region. The announcement came nearly a month after the spill was reported in Imaza district. A second spill was reported on February 3 in Morona district. In both the areas, the population is predominately ingenious people.

Peru oil spill pollutes Amazon rivers used by indigenous group https://t.co/twenw7ftnw via @BBCNews

— amnestypress (@amnestypress) February 23, 2016

The spills were on sections of the Northern Peruvian Oil Pipeline, which moves crude from the jungle over the Andes mountains to refineries through a lengthy route on the northern Peruvian coast.

Built in the 1970s, the pipeline is operated by state run PetroPeru.

Peru Oil Spill Prompts Water Emergency For Thousands https://t.co/oADbvbPUpk via @climateprogress #endfossilfuels pic.twitter.com/69bS58Fb5b

— OurVoices (@ourvoices2015) February 19, 2016