The Brazilian Government has anounced that by the end of this month all
of the gold miners will have been removed from the Yanomami Indian Area,
located in the State of Roraima, on the border between Brazil and
Venezuela. However, clandistine landing strips located on the outskirts of
Boa Vista, the Capital of Roraima, are still being used by the gold miners,
and this may lead to a repetition of the invasion of Yanomami territory. The
National Indian Foundation (FUNAI), the Federal Police, and the Brazilian
Air Force (FAB), are jointly engaged in the evacuation of the miners.
FUNAI has stated that by the end of this week the last 70 intruders will
have been removed from the Parima region, where the majority of the mines
are located. Another 200 intruders are currently awaiting transport to Boa
Vista. According to FUNAI, since January roughly 500 miners have left Parima.
One month ago there were approximately 2500 intruders in the Yanomami
area. It is not known exactly how many are currently in the area, but reports
from missionaries and health agents working with the Yanomami indicate that,
due to the operation, the number is now quite small. Many miners, however,
appear to have crossed the border into Venezuela where they are awaiting the
end of the operation before they return.
The evacuation of the intruders has had an impact on the health of the
Indians. Fewer Yanomami have required transport to Boa Vista for hospital
treatment. Furthermore, the with the presence of the Federal Police health
agents have been on hand to provide for their health needs, whereas
previously the miners had hampered their efforts, fearing that the agents
would report the presence of the intruders .
HYDROELECTRIC DAM ON INDIAN LAND
The Brazilian Government intends to build 80 hydroelectric dams in the
Amazon region, many of them in regions with signifiant Indian populatons.
The Contigo Dam located in the Raposa/Serra do Sol Indian Reserve, in the
State of Rorima is an example of such a case. Last weekend Makuxi and
Wapixana Indians met with representatives of the State Government to
hear discussions on the environmental impact of the dam. The Environmental
Impact Study on the Contigo Dam project, hovever, has not as yet been
presented.
The Indians have stated that they do not want the dam on their land. The
Attorney General of the State of Roraima, who was present at the meeting,
stated that the dam could only be built after approval had been granted by
the National Congress.
Brasi'lia, 20th October 1994
Indianist Missionary Council - CIMI