Santiago de Chile, January (RHC-PL) – A recent study has revealed that Chile's forestry policy violates the rights of the Mapuche people and is an obstacle to its development.

An investigation conducted by the City Observatory and the International Work Group on Indigenous Peoples stipulates that Decree 701 of 1974 is harmful to the indigenous community.

The study stresses that the initiative aims to promote the plantation of exotic tree species on native forests, causing irreparable damage to biodiversity and the Mapuche population.

Quoted by radio station Radio Universidad de Chile, Pablo Huaiquilao, forestry engineer member of the Pewun Kimun Corporation, said that it is a large-scale monoculture model.

"The state subsidises it and generates high profits, while we, the Mapuches are the ones who pay the high costs", the expert said.

According to the City Observatory, while it "ensures prevention of degradation, protection and recovery of soils of the national territory", the decree is harmful because "neither the companies, nor the State have taken responsibility for the severe adverse effects."