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| Ayoreo-Totobiegosode woman
© Luke Holland/Survival |
The Ayoreo-Totobiegosode Indians of western Paraguay are the last uncontacted
Indians south of the Amazon basin. They now face a real crisis, and Survival
considers this one of the most urgent cases in the whole of South America.
The land being claimed on the Indians' behalf by their supporters in Paraguay
was until recently mostly undisturbed scrub forest and grassland, in the hands
of large landowning companies. Recently two landowners have sold their
properties to Brazilian companies, which are intent on exploiting the valuable
hardwoods in the forest, and clearing the scrub for cattle-ranching. Several of
the injunctions preventing any work on the land have recently been lifted by a
local court: the Indians' supporters are appealing against the decision.
However, overflights of the area show huge tracks bulldozed into the forest,
even in areas still protected by injunctions.
The land surrounding the claim is being illegally and rapidly logged, and
there is real concern that unless the government fulfils its constitutional
obligations to title the land to the Indians quickly, their land will be invaded
and logged, and there will be a violent and disastrous encounter with the
loggers.
A new President has just taken office in Paraguay; he should be made aware of
the huge international concern for the Totobiegosode's fate, and urged to
recognise their land rights immediately.
See How you can Help the Ayoreo-Totobiegosode.
