A/HRC/21/47/Add.2 where they were living, and in some cases have had to migrate to nearby cities to look for work, often suffering from extreme poverty and marginalization. The clearing of land as part of these agricultural activities has also severely limited the availability of and access to game and fish, plants and honey, the materials used by indigenous peoples for housing construction, and access to sites of cultural and spiritual importance, such as burial grounds. These activities are also harmful to the health of indigenous people because crops are sprayed with toxic agrochemicals. 40. The situation in the region of Chaco Salteño, in Salta province, is of particular concern. Communities of the Wichí indigenous people live in the following parts of that region: Pilcomayo, Norte Bermejo, Rivadavia Banda Norte, Rivadavia, Itiyuro-Ruta 86, Bajo Itiyuro and Ballivián. In these areas, agribusinesses have cleared hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest, on which these communities depend. This situation has persisted in recent years. 41. The adoption of the Act on Minimum Budgets for the Protection of Native Forests (Act No. 26331) represents a step forward in this regard. However, the clearings have continued even since the Act came into force, a situation which has been criticized by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.3 Extractive industries 42. The extraction of natural resources throughout the country has also, in many cases, diminished the territories on which indigenous peoples depend. In the desert areas in the north of the country, specifically in the provinces of Salta and Jujuy, indigenous representatives expressed concern about the amount of water consumed by mining companies and the fear that this could have a disastrous effect on water levels in the area. For example, in the region of Salinas Grandes, which spans the provinces of Salta and Jujuy, it is feared that the proposed extraction of lithium will reduce the water level in this arid region, where water is needed to raise sheep, goats and llamas and is also essential to salt production and harvesting, an important activity within the traditional economy in the area. 43. Another major concern is the pollution caused by mining or oil exploration activities, which in past decades have been carried out without proper environmental controls. The following cases should be mentioned: (a) In the Kaxipayiñ community, Loma de Lata region, Neuquén province, the Special Rapporteur saw signs of contamination from oil exploration activities, such as several dead goats near a stream reportedly contaminated with oil, and many “Danger” signs around the areas where community members’ homes are located. In November 2011, the company Repsol YPF announced the discovery of a new oil and gas field in the Loma de Lata region, prompting fresh concerns about oil exploration in the area, especially given that the particularly risky method of hydraulic fracturing will reportedly be used; (b) The Pan de Azúcar community in the province of Jujuy continues to suffer from the effects of pollution left behind by a lead, silver and zinc mine that ceased operation in 1989. The provincial government has taken some measures, such as repairing part of the tailings dam that failed in 2011 and closing a school located inside the contaminated area in 2008 (although a new school has yet to be built). However, there are still many highly contaminated areas, as demonstrated, according to the inhabitants, by red pools of acid mine drainage, among other visible signs of contamination. Reportedly, the 3 10 E/C.12/ARG/CO/3, para. 10. GE.12-14947