Message #145402

[Bianca]

Infighting and Inaction



The Brazilian government has confirmed the existence of 40 such tribes, and there are estimates that the number could be as high as 67. Another 15 live in Peru, according to Survival International.

Huertas said logging pressure has also caused other problems for the Indians. Tribes that used to live far from each other are being pushed closer together, forcing them to fight among themselves for food and territory.

"There have been attacks, fires, and killings by loggers. The area available to the tribes has shrunk. Now they have to compete for food and space," Huertas said.

While there are problems in the Brazilian side, Indians are more protected by the government than they are in Peru.

No report has been published and no action has been taken since the Peruvian government promised earlier this year to investigate the logging problem, Hill said.

"Either because [Peru] does not have the political will, or because it does not want to allocate the necessary resources to tackle the problem, these 'uncontacted' tribes' lands are being invaded and devastated," he said.



http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/10/081006-uncontacted-tribes.html?source=rss