Amazonian tribes unite against Brazil’s controversial plans for hydroelectric dams

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http://rt.com/news/254845-brazil-amazonian-tribes-dams/

Amazonian tribes are uniting against the Brazilian government’s plans to build hydroelectric dams right on their doorstep. As the projects accelerate, people have not been consulted, nor have proper environmental studies been carried out.

The Munduruku, Apiaka, Kayabi and Rikbaktsa tribes have their home in the world’s biggest forest, stretching across nine nations and harboring numerous unique flora and fauna not witnessed anywhere else. But its future is questionable, given the constant expansion of ‘civilization’, bringing about irreversible damage in the form of deforestation, wildlife and habitat loss and other untold consequences that follow. All of this directly affects the indigenous people.

On Thursday they released a joint statement amid the Brazilian government’s increased efforts to exploit hydropower. The tribes demanded an immediate halt to the construction of four dams on the river Teles Pires. If their demands are not met, they say they’re prepared to take matters further, because they know if they let this slide, bigger projects will follow, as the government is intent on gobbling up whatever resources it can, and is doing so at an increasing rate. In one alarming example, an upcoming project on the Tapajos River that runs through the Amazon threatens to completely flood one tribal territory.