Ecuadorean tribe will 'die fighting' to defend rainforest [View all]

[naaman fletcher]

In what looks set to be one of the most one-sided struggles in the history of Amazon forest conservation, an indigenous community of about 400 villagers is preparing to resist the Ecuadorean army and one of the biggest oil companies in South America.

The Kichwa tribe on Sani Isla, who were using blowpipes two generations ago, said they are ready to fight to the death to protect their territory, which covers 70,000 hectares of pristine rainforest.

Petroamazonas – the state-backed oil company – have told them it will begin prospecting on 15 January, backed by public security forces.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/13/ecuadorian-tribe-die-fighting-rainforest