July 17th 2024.
In a remote part of the Peruvian Amazon, where loggers have been encroaching on their land, a rare new set of images has emerged showing members of one of the world's most isolated Indigenous tribes. The Mashco Piro tribe, estimated to consist of over 750 people, is believed to be the largest uncontacted tribe in the world. According to the nonprofit organization Survival International, which advocates for Indigenous rights, the Mashco Piro inhabit the area between two natural reserves in Madre de Dios and generally prefer to remain within the protection of the rainforest without interacting with outsiders.
However, in recent weeks, there has been a significant change in their behavior. The reclusive tribe has been seen venturing out of the forest in search of food and moving away from the increasing presence of loggers. The Indigenous rights group Fenamad reported that the Mashco Piro were photographed at the end of June on the banks of a river in the Madre de Dios region, near the border with Brazil. "These incredible images show that a large number of isolated Mashco Piro live just a few kilometers away from where the loggers are about to start their operations," said Caroline Pearce, director of Survival International.
The new images capture more than 50 Mashco Piro people near the Yine village of Monte Salvado. These extraordinary images, released today, provide a glimpse into the lives of these uncontacted people in the Peruvian Amazon. Alfredo Vargas Pio, head of Fenamad, expressed concern over the situation, saying, "This is undeniable proof that many Mashco Piro reside in this area, which the government has not only failed to protect but has also sold off to logging companies." He added, "The logging workers could introduce new diseases that could potentially wipe out the Mashco Piro tribe. There is also a risk of violence on both sides, so it is imperative that the territorial rights of the Mashco Piro are recognized and protected under the law."
Apart from the group near Monte Salvado, another group of 17 Mashco Piro people was seen near the nearby village of Puerto Nuevo, as reported by Survival International. The Peruvian government, on June 28, stated that local residents had informed them about sightings of Mashco Piro on the Las Piedras river, located 90 miles from the city of Puerto Maldonado, the capital of Madre de Dios.
Campaigners are using these photos as a powerful tool to call for the immediate revocation of all logging licenses in the area. The Mashco Piro, it seems, have also been spotted across the border in Brazil, according to Rosa Padilha, from the Brazilian Catholic bishops' Indigenous Missionary Council in the state of Acre. "They flee from loggers on the Peruvian side," she explained. "During this time of the year, they appear on the beaches to collect tracajá eggs. That's when we discover their footprints on the sand, and they often leave behind a lot of turtle shells. They are a restless people, always on the move and without peace."
Sadly, several logging companies hold timber concessions within the territory inhabited by the Mashco Piro. One such company, Canales Tahuamanu, has constructed over 120 miles of roads for their logging trucks to extract timber, as reported by Survival International. Despite repeated attempts to contact them, a representative from Canales Tahuamanu in Lima did not respond. It is worth noting that the company is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and claims to have 130,000 acres of forests in Madre de Dios for extracting cedar and mahogany.
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