The cataclysmic destruction of the Amazon rain forest feels like a world away. But for the roughly 20 million indigenous people who call it home, deforestation, mining, and drought threaten their very way of life.
These photos illuminate the natural splendor of the Amazon — and reveal what’s at stake.
The Amazon rainforest is one of the most beautiful places on Earth
It covers roughly 40% of South America, and contains more than one billion acres of dense forests
The Amazon’s rich vegetation produces some 20% of oxygen in the world, giving the forest the nickname “lungs of the planet
The forest’s dense canopy provides shelter for one in ten species on the planet …
Between 400 and 500 indigenous tribes call the Amazon home
According to National Geographic, roughly 50 of those tribes have never had contact with the outside world — including the one pictured below
Some indigenous groups, such as the Yanomamo and Kayapo, are believed to have settled here thousands of years ago
Their relationship with nature is a sacred one
Even those who live in urban centers rely on the Amazon for agriculture, shelter, traditional medicines, and livelihoods
Source: Tech Insider
