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Vast Amazon wildfire destroys forest in Brazil and threatens uncontacted tribe
Source: The Guardian
Vast Amazon wildfire destroys forest in Brazil and threatens uncontacted tribe
The blaze, which has burned for two months on indigenous land and spread
across 100km at its peak, is suspected to have been started by illegal loggers
Jonathan Watts in Rio de Janeiro
Friday 30 October 2015 10.30 GMT
Brazilian rangers, firefighters and indigenous communities are battling against a wildfire that has blazed for two months and devastated some of the last Amazonian forest in the northern state of Maranhão, including part of the territory of an uncontacted tribe.
The fire – which has spread across 100km at its peak – is thought to be the biggest in Indian territory for decades and has prompted the local government to declare a state of emergency.
It comes amid rising tension between indigenous “forest guardians” and illegal loggers, prompting speculation among officials and environmentalists that the blaze may have been started deliberately.
According to Greenpeace, the fire has already consumed 45% of the 413,000-hectare (1m acre) Indigenous Territory of Arariboia, despite the efforts of 250 firefighters.
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The blaze, which has burned for two months on indigenous land and spread
across 100km at its peak, is suspected to have been started by illegal loggers
Jonathan Watts in Rio de Janeiro
Friday 30 October 2015 10.30 GMT
Brazilian rangers, firefighters and indigenous communities are battling against a wildfire that has blazed for two months and devastated some of the last Amazonian forest in the northern state of Maranhão, including part of the territory of an uncontacted tribe.
The fire – which has spread across 100km at its peak – is thought to be the biggest in Indian territory for decades and has prompted the local government to declare a state of emergency.
It comes amid rising tension between indigenous “forest guardians” and illegal loggers, prompting speculation among officials and environmentalists that the blaze may have been started deliberately.
According to Greenpeace, the fire has already consumed 45% of the 413,000-hectare (1m acre) Indigenous Territory of Arariboia, despite the efforts of 250 firefighters.
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Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/30/vast-amazon-wildfire-destroys-forest-in-brazil-and-threatens-uncontacted-tribe
