Officials believe they belong to the world’s largest uncontacted tribe.
Discovery of Uncontacted Tribe
Dozens of uncontacted people deep in the Peruvian Amazon have been captured on camera just several miles from logging areas, a human rights group reported. These individuals are believed to be from the Mashco Piro tribe, considered the largest uncontacted tribe in the world.
Released Images
The images were released by Survival International, a London-based human rights organization founded in 1969. The organization campaigns for the rights of Indigenous, tribal, and uncontacted peoples. The photographs show more than 50 Mashco Piro people near the Yine village of Monte Salvado in southeast Peru.
Additional Sightings
“In a separate incident, another group of 17 Mashco Piro appeared near the neighboring village of Puerto Nuevo,” officials reported. The Yine, who are not uncontacted, speak a language related to Mashco Piro and have previously reported that the Mashco Piro angrily denounced the presence of loggers on their land.
Logging Threats
Several logging companies hold timber concessions within the Peruvian territory that belongs to the Mashco Piro. The nearest logging area is just a few miles from where the Mashco Piro were filmed. One such company, Canales Tahuamanu, has built over 200 kilometers of roads for its logging trucks. Despite being certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for supposedly sustainable and ethical operations, the Peruvian government acknowledged eight years ago that the company is cutting down trees within Mashco Piro territory.
Call to Action
Campaigners from Survival International argue that this situation demonstrates the urgent need to revoke all logging licenses in the area. They emphasize that the territory belongs to the Mashco Piro people, who must have their land rights recognized and protected.
Health and Safety Risks
Alfredo Vargas Pio, President of the local Indigenous organization FENAMAD, expressed grave concerns about the logging activities. “The logging workers could bring in new diseases which would wipe out the Mashco Piro, and there’s also a risk of violence on either side. It’s very important that the territorial rights of the Mashco Piro are recognized and protected in law,” he said.
Survival International’s Demand
Survival International has called on the FSC to withdraw its certification of the logging company’s operations. There is currently no indication that the company has any plans to comply with this demand.
Humanitarian Crisis
Survival International Director Caroline Pearce highlighted the dire situation. “These incredible images show that very large numbers of uncontacted Mashco Piro people are living just a few miles from where loggers are poised to start operations. This is a humanitarian disaster in the making – it’s absolutely vital that the loggers are thrown out and the Mashco Piro’s territory is properly protected at last. The FSC must cancel its certification of Canales Tahuamanu immediately – failure to do so will make a mockery of the entire certification system,” Pearce stated.
The Mashco Piro Tribe
While the exact population of the Mashco Piro is unclear, they are believed to be the largest uncontacted tribe on Earth, with an estimated 750 people. They inhabit the dense rainforests of southeast Peru, a region increasingly threatened by logging activities.
This alarming situation underscores the critical need for immediate action to protect the Mashco Piro and their territory from external threats, ensuring their survival and preserving their way of life.
References:
CNN – https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/18/world/video/peru-mashco-piro-tribe-sighted-cprog-digvid
