Brazil Indigenous and Riverside Communities React to Big Projects
11/4/99
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RELAYED TEXT STARTS HERE:
Title: NEWS FROM BRAZIL, Number 373, -Indigenous and riverside
communities react to big projects
Source: SEJUP (Servico Brasileiro de
Justica e Paz).Number 373, http://www.oneworld.org/sejup/
Relaying information from Indianist Missionary Council -
Cimi
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: November 4, 1999
A commission formed by 50 indigenous representatives of the Apinaji,
Javai, Xerente, Karaja, Tapirapi and Kraht peoples, 16 riverside
communities and peasants affected by the Lajeado hydroelectric power
station in Tocantins met in Brasmlia this week to repudiate the
construction of the Tocantins-Araguaia waterway and the hydroelectric
stations planned for the region. The negative impacts of these
projects upon the environment and the way of life of the populations
that survive from the rivers are reason enough to halt the projects.
In the meetings in Brasmlia with the National Electric Energy Agency
(ANEEL), Funai, and other entities, indigenous people and riverside
communities, accompanied by the National Movement of People Affected
by Dams (MAB) and Cimi, distributed a strong letter denouncing the
negative impacts of the enterprises throughout the entire region.
The Tocantins-Araguaia waterway will have an impact on 15 indigenous
peoples of the Mid-West region and 10 conservation units, including
the Araguaia National Park. The project's objective is to utilize the
Mortes, Araguaia and Tocantins Rivers to market grains, fuel and
fertilizers. The modification of these rivers to meet this demand,
however, will cause the death of the fish and animals who these
people depend on for survival.
The Lajeado hydroelectric affects the Xerente people and the
riverbank communities who charge the Investco company, the party
responsible for the construction of the dam, of non-fulfillment of
the compensatory measures foreseen in the Basic Environmental
Projects (PBAs). Information is that the construction of the Peixe,
Impueiras and Serra Quebrada hydroelectric stations will begin
shortly (the latter estimated to flood 5% of the Apinaji indigenous
area). The 2015 National Energy Plan foresees the construction of 10
hydroelectric power stations in the Tocantins River. For all of the
cultural and environmental damage that these projects could cause,
the indigenous, riverside and peasant communities unanimously and
categorically state that they do not accept the Tocantins- Araguaia
Waterway and demand that public sessions be held to express their
opinions. They also reject the Serra Quebrada dam and likewise
demand that public sessions be held in regard to the Lajeado
hydroelectric power station.