As the government of Brazil sends military personnel to
protect a planned hydroelectric dam, tribes of indigenous people in the Amazon
are close to declaring war.
(Left) )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.
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.
The Jirau hydroelectric dam will feature more giant turbines
than any other dam in the world. The power lines are estimated to cross 2,550
km of forest. The dam, said to be completed by 2015, is one of many dams being
planned in the world’s largest and most bio-diverse orest. Brazilian companies
and transnational corporations are working on up to 34 dams across the country
in an effort to increase the capacity to produce energy by 50%. The
environmental group, International Rivers, says 168 new projects are planned
for the Amazon in the coming years.
In an efforts to bring power to large city centers
indigenous people all over the world are being ran over. Is this the product of
a free market? Or is this a corporate fueled take over? How can we move
forward? While some people take advantage of the surplus in 1st world nations
the traditional peoples of indigenous nations are being plowed over.
Is it not embarrassing hat in 2013 we are still discussing
the destruction of native ways of life? Have we not moved past this despotic
period in mankinds history? I continue to believe that without a deeper
connection to our history, our roots, and our own personal nature we will only
perpetuate this system which allows such destruction and pain. We can evolve
past the need for violence, dead end energy resources, and the state of mind
that allows one peoples needs to be held above anothers.
We are all guests on this planet. Together we can work to
create a society that values freedom for all life.
References:
(Source)
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