RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) — The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) will control the airspace over the Yanomami indigenous lands, the country’s largest indigenous reserve, in a bid to combat illegal mining in the region that is causing it has caused pollution of water and soil in the region, seriously affecting the health of local tribes, official sources reported today.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva published a decree in the Official Gazette on Tuesday, providing for measures to deal with the public health emergency and to combat illegal mining in the Yanomami territory.
Among the planned measures to be adopted by the federal administrative bodies is the creation of an air defense identification zone (ZIDA) over the territory’s airspace, a measure that will remain in effect during the duration of the health emergency of national importance.
In his recent speeches, Lula had already anticipated the decision to take strict measures to protect indigenous territory and combat illegal mining in Yanomami territory.
“We have decided to end this joke. There will be no more prospecting, overflights or fuel deliveries,” the President said during an event at the Presidential Palace yesterday.
The air defense zone will be subordinate to the Air Force Command, which will be responsible for taking the necessary measures to regulate and control airspace “against all types of suspected illegal air traffic” practiced on the territory.
Administrative policing measures such as banning aircraft and equipment to support illegal activities are carried out by agents of the Federal Police, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) and other “organs and bodies of federal public administration,” according to the decree.
In addition, only those with permission from the Ministry of Health and indigenous peoples are allowed to enter Yanomami territory “to prevent and reduce the risk of disease transmission and other injuries.”
According to the decree, the Ministry of Defense will provide intelligence data and logistical airlift to the teams directly involved in the neutralization of aircraft and equipment related to illegal mining in the Yanomami area.
The decree states that the federal authorities are responsible for applying for goods, servers and services necessary for the transport of equipment; drinking water supply; food and clothing supply; and for the opening or reopening of support posts of the National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (Funai) and basic health units of the Ministry of Health.