Race Against Time: Kawahiva Demarcation Begins in Brazil’s Amazon More than 25 years after the existence of the uncontacted Indigenous people known as the Kawahiva do Rio Pardo was officially confirmed, the physical demarcation of their territory in central Brazil has finally begun. Jair Candor, the long-serving head of the FUNAI protection unit for the Kawahiva, initiated the process this week, marking a critical step toward securing the rights of the tribe. However, Survival International has issued a stark warning that the demarcation must be completed swiftly, as the Kawahiva face two imminent threats that could irreversibly endanger their survival. The first threat stems from the planned upgrade of a road running parallel to the southern border of the Kawahiva’s territory. This infrastructure project, if realized, would likely catalyze colonization and deforestation, as has been the pattern in the Amazon. Land grabbers, loggers, and cattle ranchers have already invaded surrounding areas, destroying thousands of hectares of forest and establishing ranching operations. A paved road would further open these regions to exploitation, accelerating environmental degradation and encroachment on the Kawahiva’s land. The second threat is political. Brazil’s general election, scheduled for October 2024, could result in the election of Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Flávio has publicly pledged that, if elected, no new Indigenous reserves will be demarcated in Mato Grosso, the state where the Kawahiva’s territory is located. This stance makes the current demarcation process urgent, as the new president’s term would begin in January 2027.#jair_candor #survival_international #flavio_bolsonaro #funai #kawahiva
