Indigenous organizations have sought the establishment of the Yavarí Mirim reserve since 2003 to protect uncontacted tribes from logging and other illegal activities. Recently, a postponement by the Multi-Sector Commission raises concerns about the safety of these communities. Pressure from extractive industries continues to threaten their survival. Immediate action is crucial to secure their land and protect their rights.
Since 2003, Indigenous organizations have advocated for the establishment of the Yavarí Mirim reserve, designed to protect uncontacted tribes within the Peruvian Amazon. The reserve, spanning 1 million hectares, faces opposition from extractive industries eager to exploit its resources, which has raised concerns about the safety of these vulnerable Indigenous groups amidst encroaching logging and illegal activities.
Despite a significant request made over two decades ago, the reserve has not yet been established. Recently, the Multi-Sector Commission of Peru indefinitely postponed a scheduled meeting to define the reserve’s boundaries. This postponement has drawn criticism from Indigenous leaders, who believe it is an excuse to delay action on the formation of the reserve, hence endangering the isolated tribes within.
Pablo Chota Ruiz, secretary of ORPIO, has claimed that business interests are interfering. He stated, “They are looking for any excuse to call off this reserve.” He highlighted the potential for oil and gas drilling as significant motives behind this resistance, consequently jeopardizing the Indigenous communities’ rights and safety.
In a previous federal decree from 2018, the existence of isolated groups like the Matsés was formally recognized, yet without legal territory for protection, these communities remain vulnerable. The government must act promptly to secure the reserve and develop protective measures, including security checkpoints, within 60 days after its establishment.
To counteract the setbacks, ORPIO and allied organizations are intensifying efforts to promote the demarcation of Yavarí Mirim. They have engaged in discussions with government officials, including Vice Minister Julio Jaén Rodríguez, in hopes of rectifying the delay. Ruiz further urged the necessity for immediate action, emphasizing, “We cannot wait any longer for the sake of our isolated brothers.”
Shortly after the postponement, regional forestry entities convened to oppose the Yavarí Mirim reserve. These timber companies, claiming prior rights to the land, argued against the reserve’s proposed boundaries, asserting a reasonable expectation for their concessions. Betsabeth Cortegano Chota, president of Peru’s National Forestry Confederation, stated that while they are not against isolated communities, they dispute the reserve’s definition process.
The economic stakes are high for logging companies, particularly as prior court rulings have nullified concessions within newly established reserves. Environmental lawyer César A. Ipenza indicated potential unseen influences from the oil and gas sector, which are actively promoting the exploitation of energy resources in these regions, potentially endangering Indigenous rights further.
Historically, Indigenous groups in the Amazon have faced severe threats from external contacts, leading some to adopt secluded lifestyles. Beatriz Huertas from Rainforest Foundation Norway remarked on the ongoing dangers, stating they have survived brutal encounters with settlers and extractive industries. She described the current risks, confirming that without a protected reserve, the survival of these communities is in jeopardy.
Peruvian law prohibits contacting isolated tribes, yet incidental encounters with loggers and traffickers persist. As Huertas highlighted, unprotected, these communities may soon find themselves facing the dire consequences of globalization and industrial interests threatening their traditional way of life. Immediate action for the reserve is crucial to ensure the future of these marginalized groups remains intact.
In summary, the establishment of the Yavarí Mirim reserve remains critical for ensuring the safety and rights of uncontacted Indigenous tribes in the Peruvian Amazon. Despite the advocacy from Indigenous organizations, recent delays highlight the pressures from extractive industries that seek to exploit the region. The urgency for protective measures cannot be understated, as the survival of these vulnerable populations hangs in the balance. Immediate governmental action is essential to secure the proposed reserve and its future protection.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
