Editing Amazon (section)

=== '''Indigenous people of the Amazon''' === 

The Amazon Rainforest is not only home to extraordinary wildlife and plant species but also to a rich diversity of '''Indigenous communities'''. More than '''400 Indigenous tribes''' live in the Amazon region, spread across Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, and other countries. These communities have lived in the rainforest for thousands of years, long before modern nations were established. Many Indigenous groups maintain a '''traditional way of life''', living in harmony with the forest and depending on its natural resources for food, shelter, and medicine. They hunt animals, fish in the rivers, grow crops such as cassava and corn, and gather fruits, nuts, and medicinal plants. Their deep knowledge of the forest’s ecology has been passed down through generations and is crucial for the preservation of the ecosystem. A significant number of these communities live in '''voluntary isolation''', with little or no contact with the outside world. They prefer to maintain their cultural identity and avoid external influences. For these groups, the forest is not just a home but also a sacred space that shapes their beliefs, traditions, and way of life.

However, Indigenous communities face increasing challenges from deforestation, illegal logging, mining, and land grabbing. These activities threaten both their homes and their cultures. Many organizations and governments are working to '''protect Indigenous lands and rights''', recognizing that their stewardship of the forest is essential for conserving the Amazon. The Indigenous people of the Amazon are not just inhabitants of the rainforest they are its '''guardians''', playing a vital role in protecting one of the planet’s most important ecosystems.