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| Enawene Nawe child
© Fiona Watson/Survival |
The remote Enawene Nawe
tribe of the Brazilian Amazon made British national TV news headlines
yesterday in a hard-hitting report on the clearance of their land for
soya plantations.
Click here to see an ITV report on soya farming threatening the Enawene Nawe.
The report, on ITV's lunchtime, early evening and late evening news
bulletins, came on the first day of President Lula's state visit to the
UK. It was only thirty years ago these Indians had their first contact
with the outside world,' said ITV's science editor Lawrence McGinty,
speaking from the Enawene Nawe's fishing camp. This contact is now
threatening their very existence.'
For other remote Brazilian tribes,
it is already too late. In Rondônia state, the Akuntsu tribe are
reduced to six people, while another lone man is thought to be the last
surviving member of his tribe. Traumatised by his experiences, he lives
in a hole in the ground and shoots arrows at anyone who comes near.
The Enawene Nawe Indians' land in Mato Grosso state is being rapidly
cleared for soya plantations and cattle ranching. Mato Grosso state
governor and soya baron Blairo Maggi, one of the world's largest soya
producers, is planning to build hydroelectric dams on their land to
provide energy to the soya industry. Maggi is lobbying the federal
government not to recognise any more Indian land in his state.
Enawene Nawe leader Marikeroseene told ITV, In the last two years, the
felling has risen dramatically. It has doubled…. The situation is
unbearable.'
Survival's director Stephen Corry said today, Deforestation in the
Amazon is threatening some of Brazil's most vulnerable tribes,
including many who are uncontacted. Full legal recognition of their
land is the key to their future and must not be delayed any further.'
Photos and footage available. For more information call Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
