The Peruvian government has blocked oil exploration plans in the Amazon amidst fears for uncontacted tribes living in the area.
Spanish company Repsol YPF had presented an environmental impact assessment of its plans to explore for oil in the northern Peruvian Amazon.
But Peru’s Energy Ministry has now told Repsol that its assessment would not be accepted because it failed to address concerns about uncontacted Indians living in Repsol’s concession.
Survival and other NGOs had informed the government that at least two uncontacted tribes are known to inhabit the region. Repsol must gain approval from the Ministry before it can proceed any further.
Direct sightings of the Indians are rare, but evidence of their houses, gardens, household objects, food remains, spears, paths and footprints have all been found.
In total, there are an estimated 15 different uncontacted tribes in Peru and all are threatened with extinction due to oil exploration and illegal logging. 70% of the Peruvian Amazon has now been opened up to oil prospecting.
Survival International’s Director, Stephen Corry, said today, ‘This is an important step in recognising the existence and extreme vulnerability of the uncontacted tribes. However, the only way their rights, lives and health are really going to be guaranteed is by prohibiting oil companies from working there. This is their land and international law recognises that. So should Repsol.’
For further information contact Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email [email protected]
Oil company blocked over uncontacted tribes
May 31, 2007
Related news articles
- Threats to Peru’s uncontacted tribes prompt eme... - Tue February 02, 2021
- Victory: evangelical missionaries barred from u... - Fri April 17, 2020
- New images of uncontacted indigenous people in ... - Thu December 19, 2019
- Uncontacted tribes’ rights recognized in Peru's... - Wed April 04, 2018
Most recent
- Brazilian Supreme Court takes crucial step towa... - Thu April 01, 2021
- Brazil: one year since first indigenous death f... - Wed March 24, 2021
- Honey-collecting tribe launches indefinite prot... - Wed March 17, 2021
- India: Prominent Indigenous activist violently ... - Thu March 11, 2021