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The resident Tomas Anez Dos Santos was laboring in a modest open space far in the of Peru Amazon when he detected sounds drawing near through the thick woodland.

It dawned on him he was hemmed in, and halted.

“One was standing, directing using an arrow,” he states. “And somehow he detected that I was present and I began to flee.”

He had come confronting the Mashco Piro tribe. Over many years, Tomas—who lives in the tiny settlement of Nueva Oceania—was practically a neighbour to these wandering tribe, who avoid contact with outsiders.

A new document by a human rights organisation indicates there are at least 196 described as “remote communities” in existence globally. The group is considered to be the largest. It claims a significant portion of these communities may be decimated over the coming ten years unless authorities don't do more actions to defend them.

It argues the greatest risks come from deforestation, mining or operations for petroleum. Isolated tribes are extremely at risk to common sickness—consequently, the report says a danger is caused by contact with evangelical missionaries and digital content creators looking for attention.

In recent times, the Mashco Piro have been appearing to Nueva Oceania increasingly, as reported by locals.

Nueva Oceania is a angling community of several households, located elevated on the edges of the local river deep within the of Peru rainforest, a ten-hour journey from the nearest village by watercraft.

The area is not designated as a protected zone for uncontacted groups, and deforestation operations work here.

Tomas says that, sometimes, the sound of industrial tools can be noticed continuously, and the tribe members are witnessing their forest disrupted and devastated.

In Nueva Oceania, people report they are conflicted. They fear the tribal weapons but they also have deep admiration for their “kin” dwelling in the forest and desire to defend them.

“Allow them to live according to their traditions, we can't alter their traditions. For this reason we keep our separation,” says Tomas.

Residents in Nueva Oceania are worried about the harm to the Mascho Piro's livelihood, the danger of conflict and the likelihood that deforestation crews might subject the tribe to sicknesses they have no immunity to.

At the time in the settlement, the Mashco Piro made their presence felt again. Letitia, a young mother with a toddler girl, was in the jungle collecting fruit when she detected them.

“We detected calls, sounds from people, numerous of them. Like there was a crowd yelling,” she shared with us.

This marked the first instance she had met the Mashco Piro and she ran. An hour later, her head was persistently pounding from fear.

“As there are timber workers and companies clearing the woodland they are escaping, possibly out of fear and they come near us,” she said. “We are uncertain what their response may be towards us. That's what scares me.”

Two years ago, a pair of timber workers were assaulted by the tribe while fishing. One man was struck by an bow to the stomach. He survived, but the other man was located dead after several days with several injuries in his frame.

The Peruvian government follows a policy of no engagement with secluded communities, rendering it illegal to commence encounters with them.

The policy was first adopted in a nearby nation following many years of campaigning by community representatives, who saw that first interaction with isolated people lead to entire communities being eliminated by disease, destitution and starvation.

During the 1980s, when the Nahau people in Peru came into contact with the broader society, 50% of their population succumbed within a matter of years. A decade later, the Muruhanua community faced the identical outcome.

“Secluded communities are extremely at risk—in terms of health, any exposure could spread illnesses, and even the basic infections could eliminate them,” states Issrail Aquisse from a Peruvian indigenous rights group. “From a societal perspective, any exposure or intrusion can be highly damaging to their way of life and well-being as a society.”

For local residents of {