It is estimated that almost seventy uncontacted tribes reside
in the Amazon rainforest. The reason they have remained uncontacted (virtually
isolated from the rest of the world) is primarily because of a lack of trust. Previous
instances of contact have led to disease, death, violence and the destruction
of their forest home.
Most of these people have been living in peace and
tranquility. However, there have been instances of disputes and violence. For example,
some of the tribes have been targeted and murdered by loggers and ranchers.
What threatens them now is the encroachments on their land.
Mega domes and road building projects, part of the Brazilian government’s “accelerated
growth programme” pose huge threats. Recently some are even abandoning their
lands due to pollution.
Last Saturday, hundreds of Matses Indians gathered on the
border of Peru and Brazil and called on their governments to stop the exploration
of their lands. However, the oil giant
Pacific Rubiales, headquartered in Canada, has already started oil exploration,
inching their way towards the area proposed as the uncontacted tribes reserve.
In an interview, a Matses woman has said “Oil will destroy
the place where the rivers are born. What will happen to the fish? What will
the animals drink?”
The Peruvian government has turned a blind eye to its indigenous
citizens, and has allowed the $36 million project to continue. Contractors are
to cut hundreds of miles of seismic testing lines through the forest home of
the uncontacted tribes, and drill exploratory wells.
http://www.survivalinternational.org/news/9023
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