Les GPS peuvent-ils résoudre les différends territoriaux ? Enjeux du géoréférencement participatif et conflits de limites foncières et politico-administratives dans les Andes boliviennes

Abstract

Boundary conflicts between the departments of Oruro and Potosi in Bolivia are embedded in a set of actors, and multiscalar and political issues. They involve land claims of Indigenous Andean communities, supported by non-governmental organizations and international development aid agencies, as well as the attempts of departmental and state authorities to capture the incomes of lithium. This paper addresses the attempts at conciliation of this conflict by the central state by means of participatory georeferencing. It questions the balance between delimitation methods and geographical scale. Moreover, it presents a cartographic analysis of demographical and geopolitical issues at stake in the conflict, and indigenous land claims superimpositions (Tierra Comunitaria de Orígen). We argue that participatory georeferencing is relevant as a method for conflict resolution mostly at a local scale. Besides, it may contribute to highlight conflicting areas which call for the full attention of state authorities.

Keywords

• participatory georeferencing
• geographical scale
• boundary conflict
• natural resources
• Bolivia
• place