E/CN.4/2003/90 page 11 ecosystems and the application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides are but some of the factors that seriously threaten the health of indigenous peoples in so-called “development zones”. When relatively isolated indigenous communities enter into contact with the expanding national society and monetary economy - as has happened dramatically in the Amazon basin and other inter-tropical areas in recent decades - indigenous peoples also risk contracting contagious diseases, such as smallpox, AIDS and venereal diseases, as well as psychological disorders.34 28. Indigenous peoples also argue that “environmental degradation and pollution [are] an integral facet of the health and well-being of indigenous peoples”, citing, for instance, toxic contamination by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and other industrially produced toxins.35 The Batwa in Rwanda report that deforestation of land leads to loss of traditional medicinal plants and to increased mortality.36 The right to food is also under siege by development projects, such as the construction of a dam in the Cuene region in Namibia which would significantly reduce or destroy food sources for the Epupa community by flooding the palm nuts and the Faidberbia albida trees which provide a food supply for goats, a vital food source for the community.37 Because of the pollution of their traditional lands, the peoples of the north in Russia report that they have now become “ecological refugees”, whereas mining activities in Peru reportedly cause the pollution of fresh water used by indigenous peoples for food production.38 During the Special Rapporteur’s mission to the Philippines in December 2002, numerous indigenous representatives reported similar environmental, economic and social effects of mining activities in various parts of the country, which they aptly label “development aggression”.39 29. Indigenous peoples have argued, at length and legitimately, that major development projects that do not take into account their fundamental interests entail violations of their basic human rights. At the WGIP they maintain that “the indigenous approach to self-development [is] based on the principles of respect for and preservation of land, natural resources and all elements of the natural environment; consensus in decision-making; mutual respect for peoples’ values and ideology, including sovereignty over land, resources and the environment under natural law”.40 They also complain that full, meaningful and effective participation of indigenous peoples in development is generally not being considered. For instance, indigenous peoples from the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh said that “development strategies based on road construction, pacification programmes and socio-economic development programmes, and immigration, remained in the hands of the military and the participation of indigenous peoples in the development was excluded”.41 The Ogiek of Kenya and the Batwa of Rwanda, referring to the need to get their views across, spoke of difficulties of ensuring effective minority participation in a majority-based democratic system.42 30. On the other hand, some Governments make efforts to ensure the participation of indigenous peoples in development. For instance, Canada adopted a number of initiatives in this direction such as participation of indigenous peoples in environmental assessment and regulatory boards and in land claim settlement agreements. It further developed a regional partnering approach to increase the opportunities for indigenous peoples’ employment. New Zealand has launched the capacity-building programme designed to assist Whanau, Hapu and Iwi Maori communities to identify needs and develop initiatives to achieve long-term economic development. 43