Urban Spread Damages Environment South of Sao Paulo
9/4/97
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Headline: Urban Spread Damages Environment South of Sao Paulo
Source: News From Brazil
Date: 9/4/97
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NEWS FROM BRAZIL supplied by SEJUP (Servico Brasileiro de Justica
e Paz).
Number 286, September 04, 1997.
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ECOLOGY
- Urban spread damages environment in sensitive area.
The process of unplanned urbanization is spreading rapidly
in the basin area of the Guarapiranga dam situated on the south
of the city of Sao Paulo and responsible for approximately 20% of
the water supply of the city according to a report in the 'Folha
de Sao Paulo' on September 01. A survey carried out by the Socio-
Environmental Institute (ISA) using satellite photos shows that
between 1989 and 1996 the urban spread increased by 52.62% in the
region.
A significant part of the spread is due to invasions of
areas which in 1980 were still preserved in the municipalities of
Embu, Cotia, Itapecerica da Serra, Juquitiba and Embu-Guacu.
Government sources calculate that there are approximately 600
thousand people living illegally in the region. Many live at the
sources of the rivers which flow into the dam. This invasion
increased significantly the environmental problems. 218 cases of
illegal forest clearance and 80 locations of sewerage dumping
were recorded between 1989 and 1996 in the basin area.
''The numbers which we find are alarming'' commented the
executive secretary of ISA, Joao Paulo Capobianco. ''The facts
show that there was an accelerated increase of urbanization
especially in the areas of the basin furthest from the dam and
which are preserved''. Mr. Capobianco said that there are no
exact calculations regarding the damages caused by the unplanned
urban spread to the waters of the dam but that these damages are
very visible. For example in the municipality of Embu-Guacu
studies show that pollution doubled in the rivers which flow into
the dam during the period studied. Here illegal building lots
were sold on a large scale. Regarding a solution Mr. Capobianco
commented ''We cannot only intervene in areas which have already
been built on providing very expensive engineering projects. The
government needs to ensure that new areas not be invaded. This
requires supervision on the government's part''.
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