STATE OF THE RAINFOREST 2014
48
Breu. Pedro has been involved with the post since it began operating. He
says they conduct patrols about twice a year and believes the system is
working well, but stresses the need for more agents and logistical support.
The other staff member is a ‘protection agent’, Arlindo’s brother Enoc,
who lives full-time at the post with his family. Enoc’s main duties
involve watching the river, using the radio, and recording anything
relevant in a log-book.
‘We don’t let any outsider enter, in order to avoid conflict with the
aislados, he says. ‘The reserve is not to be interfered with. The aislados –
‘the isolated ones’ – ‘have the right to not be disturbed in their territory.’
What if someone tries to enter?
‘We don’t let them. We tell them there are aislados there and they’re
not prepared for contact with outsiders. They’re very vulnerable to any
disease.’
Are most people happy about the post?
‘There are some who don’t agree. It’s my responsibility to make people
realize why we need it.’
Enoc regrets not having enough fuel to make regular patrols. He
says that he himself hasn’t seen the aislados, but others have –
particularly the people living in one of the settlements upriver,
Selva Virgen.
‘Always in summer, in the turtle egg season. That’s when they see
them.’
Arlindo took me up to Selva Virgen. There could be few better travel
companions than Arlindo. He was young, but had already been
Dulce Gloria’s headman and now presided over ACONADYSH, an
indigenous organization representing many Yurua communities,
including the Ashéninkas, Yaminahuas, Amahuacas and some
Chitonahuas. These people had up until the 1990s lived in isolation
from the world around. When they were contacted, about 50% of
the members of the communities died from diseases.
It was a few hours by canoe. Selva Virgen proved to be tiny: just a
few houses and families, gathered around Hector Rios Mañaningo
and his brother Bernardino. A drum was hanging in Hector’s
house and he banged it with mock ceremony. Also on display was
a rucksack: Hector reached into it, pulled out a mobile phone and
shouted, ‘Hello?’ before breaking into peals of laughter.
Coordinator Pedro
Monteluisa Romaina
at the control post
