License Revoked for São Luiz do Tapajós Dam (4.20.16)
License Revoked for São Luiz do Tapajós Dam
On Wednesday, April 20, 2016, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) revoked the environmental license of the São Luiz do Tapajós dam. This surprising reversal of IBAMA’s previous position came as a direct result of the Munduruku’s successful effort to have the Terra Indigena Sawré Muybu recognized. The Ministry of Mines and Energy has yet to react to this news, but the announcement from IBAMA stated that the dam is “completely inviable, due to the foreseen impacts to indigenous lands.” The IBAMA decision marks a dramatic turn away from the agency’s previous position that, as recently as 18 months ago, supported the planned hydroelectric dam at São Luiz do Tapajós and included sending researchers in to Munduruku land without their permission to collect data for the dam’s environmental impact assessment.
Contributor: Jeremy Campbell.
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