In a significant achievement for Peru's Indigenous rights, the Sierra del Divisor Occidental Indigenous Reserve was established to safeguard isolated communities and their ancestral lands in the Amazon.
Astrid Arellano reports for Mongabay.
In short:
- The Sierra del Divisor Occidental Indigenous Reserve, established in May 2024, covers over 1.2 million acres in Peru, providing protection for Indigenous communities living in isolation.
- ORPIO emphasizes the need for a government protection plan to ensure the reserve's effectiveness, addressing both environmental and human rights issues.
- The reserve faces threats from illegal logging, drug trafficking and unauthorized roads, requiring immediate government action to protect its integrity.
Key quote:
"We want this wonder of the human race, which still exists in this corner of the world in which we live, to be respected for decades."
— Apu Beltrán Sandi Tuituy, president of the Indigenous People’s Regional Organization of the Eastern Amazon
Why this matters:
Protecting Indigenous lands is crucial for preserving biodiversity and the cultural heritage of isolated communities in the Amazon. Failure to address illegal activities threatens both the environment and Indigenous people's way of life.
