Brazilian President Lula on Friday signed decrees legalizing six new indigenous reserves, the first since 2018, which represent a victory for the natives.
These reservations guarantee the natives the exclusive use of natural resources, while preserving their traditional way of life. They are considered by scientists as a bulwark against deforestation, a major challenge in the fight against global warming.
No new indigenous land had been legalized under the mandate of Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022), far-right predecessor of Lula, who had promised before coming to power to “don’t give up another centimeter“to the natives.
The last approval dates back five years, almost to the day, when the Guato people were granted the inalienable right to occupy 20,000 hectares of their ancestral lands in the state of Mato Grosso (center-west), on April 26 2018, under the presidency of Michel Temer (center right).
“It is a process that takes time, but we will ensure that as many indigenous reservations as possible are legalized. If we want to achieve zero deforestation by 2030, we need certified indigenous reserves“, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Friday.
Under the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, the average annual deforestation had increased by 75% compared to the previous decade.
Lula signed the decrees alongside prominent indigenous figures, such as the iconic cacique Raoni Metuktire, who presented him with a traditional headdress of blue and red feathers.
2023-04-28 21:22:32
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