Amazon Tribe Prepares For War in Effort to Stop Dam

ALTAMIRA, BRAZIL: Protesters demonstrate against the Belo Monte dam project near the area where the dam complex is under construction in the Amazon basin on June 15, 2012 in Altamira, Brazil. Belo Monte will be the world’s third-largest hydroelectric project and will displace up to 20,000 people while diverting the Xingu River and flooding as much as 230 square miles of rainforest. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)


Authorities in the Para state are moving forward with plans to build a number­­- of hydropower plants on the Tapajós river without permission from the Munduruku indigenous group. Groups from all across the spectrum are condemning the actions of the government.

The Guardian reported:

“According to witnesses in the area, helicopters, soldiers and armed police have been involved in Operation Tapajós, which aims to conduct an environmental impact assessment needed for the proposed construction of the 6,133MW São Luiz do Tapajós dam.Under Brazilian law, major infrastructure projects require prior consultation with indigenous communities. Federal prosecutors say this has not happened and urge the courts to block the scheme which, they fear, could lead to bloodshed.”"

The Munduruku continue to voice their concerns and have stated that they do not support studies for the plants on their lands without consultation. Despite this, a court ruling last week gave permission for a survey of the land. The government claims that no one will enter indigenous villages.

The Indigenous Missionary Council stated, “In this operation, the federal government has been threatening the lives of the people. It is unacceptable and illegitimate for the government to impose dialogue at the tip of a bayonet.”

The Munduruku leaders have issued open letters calling for an end to the military operation saying, “We are not bandits. We feel betrayed, humiliated and disrespected by all this.”

Community leaders are threatening to take action if the government does not withdraw by April 10th. They are calling upon support from other indigenous people in the region who are also facing similar battles.

source - http://intellihub.com/2013/04/05/amazon-tribe-prepares-for-war-in-effort-to-stop-dam/