Dam project threatens indigenous rituals, hunting areas and even gravesites in the Tenharim Marmelos Indigenous Land

InfoAmazonia and Brasil de Fato visited the territory to understand the views of the indigenous people about the construction of the Tabajara Dam – a project for a 37-square mile (97-sq. km) reservoir in Machadinho d’Oeste, in Brazil’s Rondônia state, which is expected to impact 9 indigenous lands, including Tenharim Marmelos.

Nine indigenous territories, including areas of uncontacted people, are impacted by a dam project in Brazil’s Rondônia state

The Tabajara Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) project will create a 60-square-mile reservoir in Machadinho d’Oeste. In addition to nine indigenous territories, an exclusive joint analysis by InfoAmazonia and Brasil de Fato confirms the influence of the project on seven areas where evidence of uncontacted indigenous groups has been found.

Global Manifesto Calls for End of Investment in Hydroelectric Power Plants

The appeal signed by 300 organizations around the world addresses the COP26. According to the document, hydroelectric power plants increase greenhouse gas emissions and deplete natural resources. In the Amazon, Belo Monte deforested an area larger than the city of São Paulo. Works at 12 hydroelectric plants could lead to the deforestation of 9,500 km2 in the Tapajós river basin.