Deft as ever

Wich Tribes Argentina

The embattled Wich Indian community in Argentina has found a new supporter. Former soccer star Diego Maradona has asked the Argentine government to restore protected area status to the Pizarro forests, the home to the community. Maradona made this request on La noche del 10, Argentina's most popular television show. "It will be very difficult for the government to ignore this request," said Emiliano Ezcurra, an activist with the environmental watchdog, Greenpeace, which has taken up cudgels on behalf of the Wichs.

"The Wichs could not watch the show because they don't have electricity, but they have come to know of it, and are very thankful," Ezcurra added.

Biodiversity-rich Pizarro was stripped of its protected area status in 2003, and auctioned off to commercial farming companies.