Indian plea

A GROUP of previously uncontacted South American Indians have made a desperate plea to the outside world after giving up their struggle against deforestation.

The 17 Ayoreo Indians, five men, seven women and five children, emerged from the Paraguayan jungle under pressure from the land clearance around them, said Survival International, a group supporting threatened tribes.

In a message, they said: “Please do not touch the forest, because it gives us life. Please stop the bulldozers.” The Indians appeared healthy but were acutely short of water. Colonists who settled in their territory have taken possession of permanent water holes for cattle ranching.