According to International RiversBelo Monte, which with an installed generating capacity of 11,231 MW would be the world's third largest dam, and its complex array of two powerhouses, artificial canals, huge dykes, two reservoirs, spillways, ports, roads, and work camps would devastate more than 1,500 sq km of the Xingu River region of the central Brazilian Amazon.
The vast mosaic of indigenous reserves and protected areas of the Xingu would be in harm's way, and according to the experts, more than double the official figure of 19,000 people would likely have to moved to make way for the dam. A 100 km stretch of what is known as the "Big Bend" of the Xingu (number one on the map) would dry up when most of the Xingu's flow is diverted to the power house (casa de força)."
Brazilian protesters criticise dam project
Environmentalists and indigenous-rights supporters gathered in the Brazilian capital on 14th February to protest a hydroelectric dam project that they say would be devastating to the Amazon region.
The demonstration, in front the congressional building in Brasilia, seeks to stop the construction of the Belo Monte dam, which they say would flood at least 400,000 hectares (nearly a million acres) of forest, displacing 40,000 indigenous people and other local residents, and destroying various species of wildlife and insects.
The construction of the controversial reservoir – a $17 billion project – was authorized in January by Brazil's Environmental Institute. The contractors working on the dam, to be located on the Xingu River in Para state, have permission to clear 238 hectares of the forest, an area larger than Monaco.
The protesters want to give Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff a petition signed by half a million people from around the world who criticize the project. The government argues that the hydroelectric dam, with a potential capacity of 11,000 megawatts, is needed to guarantee a supply of energy for a country that is growing economically.
Set for completion in 2015, Belo Monte would be the second-largest dam in the country, behind Tucurui.
The construction of the controversial reservoir – a $17 billion project – was authorized in January by Brazil's Environmental Institute. The contractors working on the dam, to be located on the Xingu River in Para state, have permission to clear 238 hectares of the forest, an area larger than Monaco.
The protesters want to give Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff a petition signed by half a million people from around the world who criticize the project. The government argues that the hydroelectric dam, with a potential capacity of 11,000 megawatts, is needed to guarantee a supply of energy for a country that is growing economically.
Set for completion in 2015, Belo Monte would be the second-largest dam in the country, behind Tucurui.
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