SURVIVAL
“Uncontacted Indians in Brazil seen from the air during a Brazilian government expedition, May 2008.” PHOTO/Gleison Miranda//FUNAI
One of Brazil’s leading experts on isolated Indians has warned that loggers could trigger violent conflict amongst uncontacted tribes on the Peru-Brazil border.
José Carlos Meirelles, who has worked with Indians in the region for decades, said that tensions in the area have been increasing since 2006, as illegal loggers penetrate remote rainforest on the Peruvian side of the border.
The loggers’ invasion is believed to have pushed isolated Indians across the border into the Brazilian state of Acre – and into the territory of neighboring tribes who are likely to resist this intrusion.
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