Major victory for the defence of Indigenous people in isolation in Peru

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte passed the law on 22 May 2024, formally establishing the indigenous reserve of Sierra del Divisor Occidental in the northern parts of the Peruvian Amazon. The reserve is part of a large tract of contiguous pristine rainforest called Yavari-Tapiche, covering 160,000 km2 of forest in the border region of Peru and Brazil. These forests are home to the world's largest populations of Indigenous people in voluntary isolation. They are one of the natural areas in the world with the highest biodiversity.

Rainforest Foundation Norway supported the first research project documenting the existence of Indigenous people in isolation in this area in 2005 and has continued supporting Indigenous organisations in Peru, which have worked tirelessly to protect the area ever since.

A major victory for vulnerable people and nature

"This is a major victory for protecting some of Earth's most vulnerable people and nature. Defending rainforests and Indigenous peoples' rights are for those with equal parts impatience and stamina. Today, we celebrate the results," said Toerris Jaeger, Director of Rainforest Foundation Norway.

He honours all the efforts made by Indigenous organisations in Peru, such as ORPIO, AIDESEP, and ORAU. On the path to this achievement, Indigenous leaders and campaigners have defied pressure from logging companies, drug traffickers, local press, business lobbyists, and authorities promoting the bill against the creation of Indigenous reserves.

Apu Beltran Sandi Tuituy, president of ORPIO, says the reserve is an excellent achievement by indigenous organisations.

"It has been 19 years of uninterrupted struggle to demand that the Peruvian state fulfils its role. The state understands the hard way, if we don't put up pressure, nothing happens. Now we need the protection plan for the Indigenous reserve to be declared in order to stop our brothers being exposed to further persecution and murder," he said.

Area of pristine rainforest larger than the UK preserved

With the support from Rainforest Foundation Norway, Indigenous organisations in Peru and Brazil are working to protect the world's largest contiguous territories of Indigenous peoples in isolation. The two territorial corridors are located in the border region of Peru and Brazil, measuring 250,000 km2 combined, an area larger than the UK and consisting almost entirely of pristine tropical rainforest.

Despite their cultural and environmental qualities, these areas are under rapidly escalating pressure from legal and illegal activities , including logging, mining and infrastructure development. Creating the indigenous reserve of Sierra del Divisor Occidental is seen as an important step in protecting the corridor. Ten local and Indigenous organisations on both sides of the border are leading the initiative: AIDESEP, ORPIO, ORAU, FENAMAD, COIAB, CTI, UNIVAJA, CPI, APIWTXA, OPIRJ

"The creation of this reserve is a huge accomplishment for everyone involved, from indigenous leaders and campaigners to the international support for this work. It shows what can be done when good forces come together. This is a very important first step towards the protection of isolated indigenous people in the area," said Toerris Jaeger, Director of Rainforest Foundation Norway.