7:00pm Thursday 24th July 2008
By Steven Smith
NORTH Dorset-based explorer Colonel John Blashford-Snell, dubbed Britain's answer to Indiana Jones, is setting out on a rescue mission to preserve a remote tribe of South American Indians.
Col Blashford-Snell is helping to save the world's oldest surviving tribe, the Cofan Indians, which live deep in the Ecuador jungle.
Virtually unknown 50 years ago, they now suffer from pollution caused by crude oil companies' excavations.
The colonel will head out on Friday, August 1, with a 20-strong team of water engineers, doctors, dentists and nurses and the group will have to brave the steamy tropical heat to get to the tribe, who have no direct contact with the outside world.
The trek is funded by global water aid charity, Just a Drop and the Scientific Exploration Society, both of which are headed-up by Col Blashford-Snell, 71.
He said: "Once in Ecuador it's going to take up to three days by vehicle and canoe.
"It's certainly not the most conducive of places to get to, but the 130 villagers of Zabalo are desperate for clean water. This is vital to avoid serious sickness, particularly among the children.
"They manage to collect rainwater but mostly they are forced to use the dirty water from a nearby creek, which they use for drinking, washing and cooking.
"It's a terrible situation for a people who, against all the odds, are fighting to maintain their heritage and culture."
The 19-day trip will include installing a water pump, as well as building latrines for a school and clinic.
Two previous visits have helped establish a relationship with the tribe and a survey of the area has been carried out.
Col Blashford-Snell added: "They (the Cofans) are keen conservationists and want to promote eco-tourism.
"The village is surrounded by unexplored forest, home of over 800 species of birds, 150 mammals and thousands of species of plants - many of which are used for herbal medicine."
The team will also be setting up a heritage visitor centre and producing a leaflet aimed at encouraging responsible tourism to the area.
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