Rainforest rivers 'critical to the Amazon'

The Amazon and Xingu rivers are critical to the wellbeing of the Amazon rainforest, it has been noted, with the planned Belo Monte dam a threat to the region and its people.

An article on Peace, Earth and Justice News heavily criticised the building of the new hydroelectric dam, which is set to cross the Xingu River, saying it will "devastate an extensive area" of the forest as well as "threaten the survival" of many of the indigenous people who reside in the tropical region.

The article's author Joan Russow urged people to make a stand about the building of the new dam, which is set to be one of the biggest in the world.

She said people need to tell Brazilian decision makers that "Brazil has better ways of providing its future energy needs than destroying the mighty Xingu River, its rainforests and its peoples".

Commenting on the dam, the Brazilian government has previously said that the area to be flooded has been carefully considered and already reduced in size.

Written by Helen Montag

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