Rejecting the pleas of conservationists, the constitutional tribunal of Ecuador has taken a decision which would cause irreparable damage to the Mindo ecological reserve (see Down To Earth , Vol 10, No 3, June 30, p13). It has permitted multinational consortium ocp Ecuador sa to complete the construction of a pipeline running through the reserve. The route of the pipeline had caused concern among environmental groups and, therefore, they had filed a lawsuit against the company in June 2001. But much to their anguish, the tribunal upheld the company's plans and stated that "the route selected has been so designed that there is no damage to the environment.'