Document asks the National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples to take action

The Javari Network, of the Observatory for the Human Rights of Isolated and Recently Contacted Indigenous Peoples (Opi), has sent information to FUNAI (National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples) about the presence of invaders in the vicinity of isolated groups in the Vale do Javari Indigenous Land, in Amazonas state. Marubo indigenous people from the upper Curuçá river region have come across signs of the presence of invaders in the territory, in an area that is close to two records* of isolated groups. 

In the first half of March, a group of Marubo families were transporting a newly purchased aluminium
canoe to the Marubo Maronal village, using old paths that have existed since the 1940s and, along the way, found various signs of the presence of invaders, such as empty plastic bags of salt, boots, tapiris and bags made of fibre. The traces indicate that the invaders are hunters who kill wild animals for commercial purposes.

The site is known as an animal sanctuary, as it concentrates mineral salts (canamã) where all kinds of animals go to feed in order to make up for the lack of these nutrients. As well as being a strategic location for the animals, the territory is a corridor where isolated indigenous people roam. The Marubo inhabitants of the region confirm their presence. These records refer to groups under study by FUNAI, which means they have yet to be officially confirmed.

The Marubo of the region have already denounced the presence of invaders in these areas of the Indigenous Land to Funai on several occasions, also drawing attention to the risks of conflict with both the indigenous villagers and the isolated groups. No action has yet been taken. 

The Surveillance Team (EVU) of the Union of Indigenous Peoples of the Javari Valley (UNIVAJA) has also denounced the advance of farming activities towards the southern limits of the Indigenous Land. Along the Igarapé Velho Júlio, used as a canal by the Marubo to transport aluminium canoes, several new agricultural plots and houses of invaders have been spotted, closer and closer to the territory. Permanent measures are urgently needed in this part of the Javari Valley territory.

*Igarapé - Small streams of water typical of the Amazon region.
*Tapiri - Temporary shelters made of straw.