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| Erui, an Ayoreo-Totobiegosode man.
© Jonathan Mazower/Survival |
Paraguay's Congress yesterday rejected a bill to protect the heartland
of the last isolated Indians south of the Amazon basin. The decision
leaves the Indians at the mercy of cattle ranchers who have bought up
the land illegally and have already started to clear it.
The Indians, members of the Ayoreo
tribe, live in the dry scrub forests of western Paraguay. They are
nomadic hunter-gatherers living off the abundant game, such as wild
pigs, anteaters and armadillos. They also gather wild honey, and
cultivate crops.
Most of the tribe have already been brought out of the forest, but an
unknown number remain, resisting contact with outsiders. Their land is
protected by injunctions which are supposed to stop all deforestation.
Under Paraguayan law, the Indians have the right to own their land.
Acting illegally, large Brazilian and Paraguayan companies have bought
up the Ayoreo's land and have already started clearing it. The bill
rejected by Congress yesterday would have transferred ownership of the
Indians' heartland back to the tribe.
Survival's Director Stephen Corry said today, This is a terrible day
for the Ayoreo, who have lost the chance to finally gain some
protection from the ranchers who have already cleared most of their
land. But it is also a terrible day for Paraguay, which has failed a
crucial test of civilized behaviour towards the most vulnerable section
of its population.'
For more information contact Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
Photos of the isolated Indians, and aerial footage of the Indians' territory, showing illegally-bulldozed tracks, are available.
