Amazonian Dam Raises Hopes of Progress and Fear of Havoc
- 14 years ago
A massive and controversial hydroelectric dam planned for one of the Amazon River’s main tributaries stands as a symbol of progress in the northern state of Para. But the billion-dollar project could also spell disaster for the environment and the indigenous groups who live there.
Long-lasting controversy has surrounded the building of a dam in the Amazon’s mighty Xingu (pron: Shingu) river.
Despite decades of protests from indigenous tribes and environmentalists, last month, Brazil's government approved the building of “Belo Monte” - an 11,000-megawatt dam.
The massive project is designed to provide power to local industries and eventually all of Brazil.
[...]
A tribe's chief, Jose Carlos Arara says the dam could cause huge damage to the region.
[...]
[...]
Supporters say the dam will create jobs in a down-trodden region and help power Latin America's largest economy.
But critics say the race for economic prosperity also brings social and environmental costs.
The 3.75-mile-long dam will displace 30,000 river dwellers, partially dry up a 62.5-mile stretch of the Xingu, and flood a 500-sq-km area three times the size of Washington D.C.
[...]
[Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, Brazilian President]: (male, Portuguese)
"It's important for this to be stated loud and clear: we will build Belo Monte.”
In the region's largest town of Altamira, the billion-dollar project has sharply divided the community.
Fisherman Antonio Jose de Nascimento says the dam could devastate the region.
[...]
Head of the government's Energy Research Company, Mauricio Tolmasquim, defended the project.
[...]
While many now accept the dam as inevitable, others say they will continue to fight it.
[...]
A start date for construction of the Belo Monte dam has not been set yet, but it is expected to come online in 2015.
Long-lasting controversy has surrounded the building of a dam in the Amazon’s mighty Xingu (pron: Shingu) river.
Despite decades of protests from indigenous tribes and environmentalists, last month, Brazil's government approved the building of “Belo Monte” - an 11,000-megawatt dam.
The massive project is designed to provide power to local industries and eventually all of Brazil.
[...]
A tribe's chief, Jose Carlos Arara says the dam could cause huge damage to the region.
[...]
[...]
Supporters say the dam will create jobs in a down-trodden region and help power Latin America's largest economy.
But critics say the race for economic prosperity also brings social and environmental costs.
The 3.75-mile-long dam will displace 30,000 river dwellers, partially dry up a 62.5-mile stretch of the Xingu, and flood a 500-sq-km area three times the size of Washington D.C.
[...]
[Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, Brazilian President]: (male, Portuguese)
"It's important for this to be stated loud and clear: we will build Belo Monte.”
In the region's largest town of Altamira, the billion-dollar project has sharply divided the community.
Fisherman Antonio Jose de Nascimento says the dam could devastate the region.
[...]
Head of the government's Energy Research Company, Mauricio Tolmasquim, defended the project.
[...]
While many now accept the dam as inevitable, others say they will continue to fight it.
[...]
A start date for construction of the Belo Monte dam has not been set yet, but it is expected to come online in 2015.