Cochabamba Climate Conference discusses Belo Monte dam
Wednesday, April 21, the Conferencia Mundial de los Pueblos sobre el Cambio Climático y los Derechos de la Madre Tierra in Cochabamba, Bolivia, discussed construction of the hydroelectric plant of Belo Monte. In the debate various hydroelectric projects on the rivers of the Amazon basin are to be discussed.
The World Conference World Conference was organized by the government of Evo Morales in response to the failure of the Copenhagen Climate Conference. About fifteen thousand people from around the world have come to the event in Cochabamba that focuses, especially, on the relationship between climate change and indigenous peoples.
The debate on hydroelectric dams in the Amazon Basin included representatives of various indigenous peoples opposed to the enterprises. One of the representatives of the Juruna people talked about the impacts of Belo Monte, about nature and the resulting impacts on indigenous peoples of the region. He also denounced the disrespect of indigenous rights by the Brazilian government.
Pakitzapango
One representative of the Ashaninka people denounced the Pakitzapango dam, a hydroelectric planned in the Ene Valley, Perú. Like Belo this dam will provoke the flodding of big areas of rainforest, areas that are sacred to the indigenous peoples and, on top of that, will forcibly remove thousands of persons. It will also destroy the biodiversity of the Ene river, impacting the source of alimentation of the people that depend on the river.
Just as is then case with Belo Monte, the indigenous have not been consulted about the project.
Eletrobrás
The Pakitzapango hydroelectric will be contructed in partnership with Eletrobrás, and provide energy for export to Brazil. Eletrobrás is partnering in various hydroelectrics in Peru.
Mythological
The name Pakitzapango refers to the canyon of the same name where the dam will be built. This canyon, for the Ashaninka people, is a mythological and sacred place, where the peoples of the Amazon were born.
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