A judge in Brazil has ordered a halt to construction of a multi-billion-dollar dam project in the Amazon region.
Judge Carlos Castro Martins barred any work that would interfere with the natural flow of the Xingu river.
He ruled in favour of a fisheries group which argued that the Belo Monte dam would affect local fish stocks and could harm indigenous families who make a living from fishing.
The government says the dam is crucial to meeting growing energy needs. Judge Martins barred the Norte Energia company behind the project from “building a port, using explosives, installing dikes, building canals and any other infrastructure work that would interfere with the natural flow of the Xingu river, thereby affecting local fish stocks”.
Legal battle
He said the building of canals and dikes could have negative repercussions for river communities living off small-scale fishing.The judge said building work currently underway on accommodation blocks for the project’s many workers could continue as it would not interfere with the flow of the river.
The consortium behind the project will appeal against the decision.
Now is the moment to escalate the campaign as this will probably be only a temporary victory
The Free 