New rainforest dam 'reckless'

Plans to build a new hydroelectric dam in the Amazon rainforest have been labelled reckless by some conservationists.

Speaking to Media Global, Christian Poirier, the Brazil program coordinator from Amazon Watch, said that the new dam shows the irresponsible way in which the country's government "seeks to meet its stated development needs and its profit-driven goals".

The Belo Monte dam is to be one of the largest dams in the world and was recently given the green light by the Brazilian government.

The original plans were scaled down and the area flooded for the construction will be much smaller - however, environmentalists still say the dam will be disastrous for the rainforest.

As well as this, the building of the dam could lead to the displacement of thousands of indigenous people, several charities have warned.

Construction and the use of the rainforest as a base for industry are two of the biggest causes of deforestation in the Amazon.

Written by Kimberley Homer. ADNFCR-2073-ID-19607145-ADNFCR