Context:
Recently, the previously uncontacted Mashco Piro tribe emerged in Peru due to encroachment and a search for food and safety.
Relevance:
GS II: Tribes
Mashco Piro Tribe
Overview:
- Size: The Mashco Piro is the largest uncontacted tribe globally, with an estimated population of over 750 members.
- Location: They traditionally inhabit the Amazon rainforest, a region known for its vast biodiversity.
- Isolation: The Mashco Piro have lived in isolation for much of their history, maintaining minimal contact with the outside world.
Interactions and Risks:
- Limited Contact: The tribe occasionally interacts with the Yine community, with whom they share ancestry and language.
- Health Risks: These interactions are risky due to the Mashco Piro’s lack of immunity to common diseases, which can have devastating effects on their population.
Historical Context:
- 1880s Rubber Boom: During this period, rubber barons invaded the Mashco Piro’s territory, leading to significant exploitation, violence, and atrocities against the tribe.
Protection Efforts:
- 2002 Reserve: Perú established the Madre de Dios Territorial Reserve to protect the Mashco Piro’s land and way of life. However, the reserve only covers about one-third of the area initially proposed for their protection.
Perú
Geography:
- Location: Western South America, bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and the Pacific Ocean.
- Diverse Habitats: Includes the Andes mountains and the Amazon Basin rainforest, contributing to its rich biodiversity.
- Climate Influences: Affected by its tropical latitude and two significant ocean currents: the Humboldt and El Niño.
Economic Resources:
- Major Producer: Perú is a leading producer of several minerals and metals, including:
- Lithium
- Lead
- Zinc
- Gold
- Copper
- Silver
-Source: Indian Express
