Solid waste in Pirgua, Colombia: Identification of the socio-environmental conflict

This text analyses the socio -environmental conflict in the village of Pirgua. At the same time, the research defines the causes that give rise to it, and proposes a public policy that allows establishing a model for how to take on the great social and environmental challenges. The analysis of the research is given by the characterisation of a social phenomenon (conflict) by means of the three -stage methodological model; analysis of the conflict, legitimacy of action and the actors within the conflict and, finally, the conflict within a central conflict (Fontaine, 2004). The investigation found that there exists a concentration of negative environmental burdens that are generating opposing relationships between the community that inhabits the village versus the institutions and private companies that manage the burdens. This tension is mainly caused by inadequate territorial planning and ignorance of the approaches that recognise human rights within the notion of development.