Mongabay · Climate & nature

Ituna/Itatá Indigenous Land Faces Escalating Invasion

An invasion of Brazil's Ituna/Itatá Indigenous Land has escalated, with over 500 people illegally clearing land, starting fires, and threatening federal agents. The area is home to the Igarapé Ipiaçava people, who live in voluntary isolation.

A federal court ordered the deployment of the National Public Security Force to contain the invasion, but forces had not arrived as of September 11. The invasion follows the creation of the Bacajaí Environmental Protection Area, which overlaps with the Indigenous land, creating legal confusion exploited by land-grabbers.

The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) is seeking daily fines for the government's failure to deploy adequate security. The area is under a temporary land-use restriction to protect the isolated Indigenous population.

The MPF reported the use of heavy machinery and chainsaws to create forest trails and clandestine roads, with fires set shortly after inspections in what is described as retaliation and intimidation.

The dry season and the potential for a severe El Niño event increase the risk of fires, making the forest more volatile, according to the Observatory of Isolated and Recently Contacted Indigenous Peoples (OPI).

Audio recordings indicate invaders planned to surround federal teams and burn vehicles. A state government cargo vehicle was also found supporting the illegal settlement's infrastructure.

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