PERU — In a striking development, more than 50 members of the uncontacted Mashco Piro tribe have recently been photographed on a riverbank in the isolated reaches of the Peruvian Amazon. This sighting occurred near the southeastern village of Monte Salvado, which is home to the Yine people, and is situated in an area where the Peruvian government has granted logging concessions to various companies. The appearance of the Mashco Piro, a group known for their isolation from modern society, has heightened concerns regarding the impact of logging activities on their traditional lands.

The Mashco Piro were observed in recent days along the riverbanks close to Monte Salvado, with a separate group of 17 individuals sighted near a neighboring village. The Yine people, who have cultural and linguistic connections with the Mashco Piro, have reported increased tensions and hostility from the uncontacted tribe, reportedly due to the encroachment of loggers onto their ancestral territories. These accounts have been corroborated by Survival International, an organization dedicated to the protection of uncontacted tribes and their environments.

Alfredo Vargas Pio, the president of FENAMAD, a local Indigenous rights group, has voiced significant concerns in a statement issued by Survival International. Vargas Pio declared, “This is irrefutable evidence that many Mashco Piro live in this area, which the government has not only failed to protect but actually sold off to logging companies.” His statement highlights the frustration and sense of betrayal experienced by Indigenous groups who feel abandoned by the government in their efforts to protect these vulnerable communities from exploitation.

As of now, the Peruvian government has not provided a response to NBC News’ inquiries regarding this situation. Nevertheless, FENAMAD has indicated that the Mashco Piro have been increasingly emerging from their rainforest home in recent weeks, driven by the necessity to find food and evade the encroachment of loggers. This behavior reflects the heightened stress and disruption caused by ongoing logging activities in their vicinity.

The Mashco Piro tribe has a documented history of conflict with external forces, particularly related to illegal logging activities. In 2013, the tribe attempted to make contact with the outside world on several occasions, culminating in a tense standoff with a remote riverside community. At that time, authorities suggested that these interactions were driven by dissatisfaction with illegal logging encroachments on their territory.

The current situation is fraught with the potential for escalating violence. Vargas Pio has underscored the risk of conflict, noting, “There’s also a risk of violence on either side.” The Mashco Piro are estimated to number over 750 individuals, making them one of the largest uncontacted tribes globally. Their history includes significant adversity, including massacres and enslavement during the rubber boom of the 19th century.

Among the logging companies operating in the area is Maderera Canales Tahuamanu SAC, which has constructed over 120 miles of roads to facilitate timber extraction, according to Survival International. This company holds certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), a nonprofit organization that certifies sustainably managed forests. The FSC’s certification database indicates that Canales Tahuamanu controls over 130,000 acres of certified forest land.

Eight years ago, the Peruvian government acknowledged that Canales Tahuamanu was logging within Mashco Piro territory. Despite this acknowledgment, the company continues to operate with FSC certification, which has drawn substantial criticism. Caroline Pearce, Director of Survival International, condemned the situation, stating, “The FSC must cancel its certification of Canales Tahuamanu immediately — failure to do so will make a mockery of the entire certification system.” Pearce further described the situation as “a humanitarian disaster in the making,” emphasizing the urgent need to expel the loggers and ensure the protection of the Mashco Piro’s territory.

Neither the Forest Stewardship Council nor Maderera Canales Tahuamanu were available for immediate comment. The ongoing situation remains critical as the Mashco Piro continue to face threats from external encroachments. The urgent calls for action to protect their land and way of life grow increasingly imperative.