More About Madeira

The Madeira River Complex

The Madeira River Complex - an enormous mega-project including the construction of four hydroelectric dams, extensive river dredging and opening of channels - threatens the ecological stability of the entire Madeira River and the livelihood of local communities.More »

Fiddling While the Amazon Burns

Keeping the world's biggest forest standing depends on greens, Amerindians and enlightened farmers working together – if lawmakers let them

December 3, 2011 | The Economist

Jaci-Paraná, Brazil – Drive out of Porto Velho, and you see the trouble the world's largest forest is in. Lorry after lorry trundles by laden with logs; charred tree-stumps show where ranchers burned what the loggers left behind; a few cattle roam sparsely through the scrubby fields. In places the acid subsoil shows through, sandy and bone-pale.More »

<em>Cachuela Esperanza:</em> Hope or Havoc on the Rio Madera?

Cachuela Esperanza: Hope or Havoc on the Rio Madera?

August 1, 2011 | Blog Post

Though the name "Cachuela Esperanza" may include the word "hope" translated, this proposed megaproject will most likely mean disaster for the natural environment and indigenous population living near the Madera River Basin.More »

The Freest People

The Freest People

Protecting the Last Indigenous Groups in Voluntary Isolation

April 6, 2011 | Blog Post

"Hidden tribes of the Amazon", "free peoples", "uncontacted tribes", "indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation." While society is quick to cast labels, in most cases their true name is known only amongst members of their group.More »

Chaos on the Madeira: The Trouble with Dams in the Amazon

Chaos on the Madeira: The Trouble with Dams in the Amazon

March 25, 2011 | Blog Post

The Madeira River: Life Before the Dams is a beautiful example of the power of film to capture natural beauty and human emotion, mostly through the play and laughter of children.More »

GDF Suez and the destruction of Brazil's Madeira River

GDF Suez and the destruction of Brazil's Madeira River

January 14, 2010 | Video

The Madeira River in the Brazilian Amazon is under threat due to the construction of the Jirau dam by the French multinational corporation GDF Suez.More »

The Madeira River Complex, Brazil and Bolivia

The Madeira River Complex, Brazil and Bolivia

July 2009 | Photo Gallery

Photos from an Amazon Watch trip through the Madeira River basin to bring back stories of anguish and hope in the fight to stop the construction of two mega-hydroelectric dams on the Amazon's principal tributary.More »

Current Highlights