What Happened - The History of the Occupation of Apyterewa Indigenous Land
For years, the Parakanã indigenous people were restricted to less than a third of their territory, isolated in the middle of a vast area of pasture occupied by around 100,000 heads of cattle. Illegal gold mining, illegal logging, and land grabbing also proliferated within their lands, the Apyterewa Indigenous Land, located in the Xingu River basin, in the state of Pará, Brazil.
“It is historically the most deforested indigenous territory in Brazil, and perhaps in the world”, said Wallace Lopes, environmental analyst at IBAMA, Brazil's federal environmental agency.
The peak of deforestation occurred during the administration of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022), who dismantled the country's environmental enforcement. In 2022, an area almost the size of Paris (102.23 square kilometers or 25,261 acres) was deforested within the Apyterewa Indigenous Land, according to Brazil's space agency, INPE.
“It was massive deforestation”, Wenatoa Parakanã, president of the Tato’á Association, which represents the Parakanã, told Mongabay. “All we can see now is pasture”.
Why it Matters - The Real Stakes and Those Affected
The invaders were estimated to be 3,000 individuals, more than four times the indigenous population (730). After two failed attempts by previous administrations to remove the invaders in 2013 and 2017, they felt confident enough to build a small village within the Indigenous Land, with two gas stations, bars, churches, and even a school.
The task force in the Apyterewa Indigenous Land to remove invaders had the support of the Brazilian Federal Police, the Army, and the National Force.
The Mechanism/Science Behind it - The Dynamics of Deforestation and Occupation
Deforestation in the Apyterewa Indigenous Land is a classic example of how the lack of environmental enforcement and corruption can lead to disastrous consequences for the environment and indigenous communities.
The illegal exploitation of natural resources, such as timber and gold, is often carried out by organized groups that take advantage of the lack of state presence in remote areas.
Bigger Picture - Trends and Related Research
The situation in the Apyterewa Indigenous Land is not an isolated case. According to the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon increased significantly during the Bolsonaro administration.
Furthermore, violence against indigenous communities and environmental defenders has also increased in recent years, with many cases of murders, threats, and intimidation.
What Happens Next - Implications and Open Questions
With the change of government in Brazil, there are hopes that the situation in the Apyterewa Indigenous Land may improve. However, it is essential that the current government takes concrete steps to protect indigenous lands and combat the illegal exploitation of natural resources.
Moreover, it is crucial that civil society and international organizations continue to pressure the Brazilian government to fulfill its obligations regarding indigenous rights and environmental protection.
Conclusion - The Future of Apyterewa Indigenous Land
The situation in the Apyterewa Indigenous Land is a sad reminder of how inaction can have disastrous consequences for the environment and indigenous communities.
However, with the change of government and civil society pressure, there are hopes that the situation may improve and that indigenous lands can be protected for future generations.
Source / Reference
This article was originally published on Mongabay.