Brazil has officially recognized two indigenous territories and granted them legal protection
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva OF Brazil officially recognized two Indigenous territories in the Amazon. He has granted them legal protection and marked them as reserves. This will protect the inhabitants from illegal loggers, cattle ranchers, and gold miners.
Brazil announced the news on the day they celebrate the Amazon forest. The forest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. There are several efforts to preserve the forest, as it is essential to soak up carbon emissions that cause global warming.
According to environmentalists and data, the indigenous population is best at conserving the forest and its natural habitat. The reserves have maintained the forest cover better.
Lula has vowed to declare as many reserves as he can. He has declared eight reserves since taking office in January.
It will become difficult to declare indigenous territories as reserves. The Brazilian Congress is working to pass legislation that would restrict claiming indigenous territories as reserves. The prominent farm lobby supports the move.
The Supreme Court of Brazil is expected to rule that the cutoff date for claiming reservations not lived on since 1988 is unconstitutional. Such a move is similar to denying the recognized indigenous rights granted by the government.
The new reservations are the Acapuri de Cima and the Rio Gregorio Indigenous Territories. These territories are in the states of Amazonas and Acre, respectively.
Around 500 Kokama inhabitants live on the 19,000 acres of the first reservation. Similarly, around 2,000 Katukina and Yawanawá inhabitants live on the second reservation.
Indigenous populations in Brazil
There is a population of 1.6 million indigenous people in Brazil. Half of that population belongs to 180 tribes and certain other territories that are cut off from the rest of the world. Indigenous Peoples Minister Sonia Guajajara aims to bring these people to light.
She states that the indigenous people are essential to maintaining the forest. They are the guardians of the forest and the diversity required to combat climate change.