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WORLDWIDE FOREST/BIODIVERSITY CAMPAIGN NEWS

Protection of Uru-eu-wau-wau Territory in Brazilian Amazon

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Forest Networking a Project of Ecological Enterprises

2/4/96

OVERVIEW & SOURCE

The Uru-eu-wau-wau Indian territory in the Brazilian Amazon is

being overrun by outsiders, despite having been legally demarcated

in 1994. It has been abundantly clear that Brazil has wavered in

its commitment to demarcate and respect Indian lands, with grave

consequences for the indigenous peoples and forested lands.

Appeals for letters are made to the Brazilian government. This

item was posted in econet's rainfor.general conference.

g.b.

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/** rainfor.genera: 145.0 **/

** Topic: URU-EU-WAU-WAU NEED HELP **

** Written 4:36 PM Jan 31, 1996 by ax:bidermanrac in

cdp:rainfor.genera **

CAMPAIGN FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE URU-EU-WAU-WAU INDIAN

TERRITORY - BRAZILIAN AMAZON

We, representatives of Indigenous and Environmental NGOs and

Indigenous Peoples Groups of the State of Rondonia, Brazil,

identified below, would like to denounce problems affecting

the Uru-eu-wau-wau People and request what follows:

The Uru-eu-wau-wau indian territory is situated in the

Brazilian Amazon, in the State of Rondonia, and was created

by the Presidencial Decree No. 275, of October 29, 1994.

However, this territory has been intensively invaded by

loggers, farmers and occupants that illegally intrude the

protected area. The situation has worsened with the approval of

the Presidencial Decree No. 1775 of 1996, that benefits

invaders of indigenous territories.

1. Hydrographic Characteristics

The headwaters of the main affluents (Jaci-Parana, Cautario,

Candeias, Jamari, Uruupa, Jaru, Muqui, Sao Miguel, Pacaas Novos

e Outro Preto) of the 3 major water basins (Madeira, Mamore,

Guapore) of the state of Rondonia are situated in the Uru-eu-

wau-wau territory.

2. Landscape

The region is filled with scenic beauties, like the Pacaas

Novos Sierra, with its highest mountain at 1,100 meters. Its

scarps form kilometres of continuing walls. The water

resources of the region come from these highlands.

There are archaeological sites , water falls and caves with

ancient inscriptions in the area.

3. Biodiversity

The region has different ecosystems, such as rainforest,

savannah, natural fields and transition vegetation. The

reserve is an escape site for several animals, including

threatened species.

4. Human Presence

The region has been inhabited by groups that have only had

contact with the western civilization in the past 15 years.

These groups are the Jupau and Amondawa, of the Tupi Guarani

family and Kawghibi linguistic group, which still preserve

their traditions. There are 3 uncontacted groups in the area.

All this legacy is being threatened by the invaders.

In fact, in the region called "Burareiro", the National

Institute for Colonization and Land Reform (INCRA) has

illegally settled more than 60 small farmers, which are causing

severe deforestation, killing of animals, and traffic of heavy

trucks and agriculture machinery. They are promoting logging

activities in the area, which are causing severe conflicts

between invaders and indigenous peoples, with many casualties.

These illegal activities are being supported by local and

powerful politicians of the state of Rondonia.

Another serious problem is occurring in the Alto Jaru area,

where 1,000 people have invaded the reserve. Also, in the

Cautario area there is an invasion of miners, and loggers are

invading the Terra Roxa, Serra da Onca and Linha 623 areas, all

within the reserve.

Equally, in the Pacaas Novos National Park, also considered as

part of the Uru-eu-wau-wau territory, one farmer, Jeovau Nilo

Ribeiro, is exploring the wood and cutting down trees,

planting coffee, banana and mango, making use of pesticides.

He is an extremely difficult person and refuses to leave the

area. Another farmer, Beneu, is another invader and refuses to

leave the National Park area.

URGENT REQUEST

We would like to request the help of all of you who are

concerned about the protection of the environment and the human

rights of indigenous peoples. We urge you to pay attention to

what is happening in Rondonia and act on behalf of these

people urgently.

We suggest that you write to the Brazilian authorities listed

below, urging them to take the necessary measures to protect

the Uru-eu-wau-wau territory. Only a few minutes of your time

will be invaluable for the protection of the territory and of

the Uru-eu-wau-wau, as well as Jupau, Amondawa and uncontacted

people living in that territory.

Please, request the following from the Brazilian authorities:

- immediate removal of invaders (loggers, farmers, occupants

and miners) from the Uru-eu-wau-wau Indian Territory;

- enforcement of Brazilian Environmental and Human Rights Laws

(Federal Constitution, Forest Code, Indian Statute, Economic-

Social-Environmental Zoning Law);

- need for continuous control of the borders and territory of

the Uru-eu-wau-wau Indian Reserve and contiguous Pacaas Novos

National Park;

- civil and criminal accountability for the violation of

Brazilian laws.

Please write to the following authorities:

1. His Excellency, Mr. Fernando Henrique Cardoso

President of Brazil

Palacio do Planalto

Brasilia , DF, Brasil, 70150-900

2. Governor of the State of Rondonia

Mr. Valdir Raupp de Mattos

Palacio Presidente Getulio Vargas, s/n

Praca Getulio Vargas

Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brasil

78900-000

3. President of FUNAI (Federal Indian Bureau)

Mr. Marcio Santilli

Edificio Lex - SRTUS

Bloco A - Zona Central

Brasilia, DF, Brasil

70340-904

4. President of IBAMA (Environmental Protection Agency)

Mr. Raul Jungmann

Quadra 05, Bloco H, Lote 5, Asa Sul, 1o. andar

Brasilia, DF, Brasil

70.070-000

5. Minister for the Environment

Mr. Gustavo Krause

Esplanada dos Ministerios

Bloco B , 5o. andar

Brasilia, DF, Brasil

70.068-900

6. Minister for Judicial Affairs

Mr. Nelson Jobim

Esplanada dos Ministerios

Brasilia , DF, Brasil

70.068-900

Thank you for your support!

* CUNPIR - Coordenacao da Uniao das Nacoes dos Povos Indigenas

de Rondonia, Norte do Mato Grosso e Sul do Amazonas

* Associacao Pamare do Povo Indigena Cinta Larga

* Organizacao Metareila do Povo Indigena Surui

* Kaninde - Associacao de Defesa Etno-Ambiental

* COMIN - Conselho de Missao entre os Indios

* CIMI - Conselho Indigenista Missionario

* Forum de ONGs e Movimentos Sociais que atuam em Rondonia

* APIPAM - Associacao do Povo Indigena Parintintin do Amazonas

* OPICS - Associacao do Povo Indigena Karitiana

Please send copies of your petitions to:

Comissao Indigena do Forum de ONGs e Movimentos Sociais que

atuam em Rondonia (Indigenous Peoples Commission of the

Rondonia NGO Forum)

Rua Carlos Gomes, 1001, Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brasil

Phone/Fax: 55.69.2231116

Emai: forumrouax.apc.org

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