Ecobreves – ARGENTINA: Activists Denounce Logging in Preserve

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

BUENOS AIRES, Jun 21 2004 (IPS) - The Argentine non-governmental Foundation for Environmental Defense issued a warning that the indigenous Mbya community could disappear if a logging company continues operations in their territory

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The Mbya, part of the larger Guaraní indigenous family, have lived for 1,500 years in Yabotí, in an area of the northeastern province of Misiones that was recognized in 1995 as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).

The land is owned by Moconá Forestal, which could engage in sustainable activities there, but instead cuts down the trees that the Indians use for natural medicines, and constitutes ''silent genocide'', says Raúl Montenegro, a Foundation member.

The Mbya filed a lawsuit to strip the company of ownership of the land where they live, and the Foundation asked the Misiones provincial government to halt the logging until a ruling is made.