The New York Times | A significant hurdle in the construction of a huge dam on a tributary of the Amazon river was removed this week when Brazilian authorities approved the clearing of hundreds of acres of forest at the dam site and the construction of new roads to service the project.
BNDES
Brazil Green Lights Amazon Dam Despite Opposition
New Dilma Government Approves Fast-Track Forest Clearance and Commencement of Controversial Belo Monte Construction Site
Brazília, Brazil – The Brazilian government has issued a "partial" installation license allowing the Belo Monte Dam Complex to break ground on the margins of the Amazon's Xingu River despite egregious disregard for human rights and environmental legislation, the unwavering protests of civil society and condemnations by its Federal Public...
Risky Business in the Amazon
New Report Reveals Looming Financial, Legal and Reputational Disaster of Belo Monte, World's Third Largest Dam Project
Brasília and São Paulo, Brazil – The Belo Monte Dam Complex, slated to begin construction in April along the Xingu River in heart of the Brazilian Amazon, not only threatens ecological integrity and the livelihoods of indigenous peoples and other local communities but also presents tremendous risks for financiers, investors and the country's...
Critic of the Belo Monte Dam in Brazil Receives "Right Livelihood Award"
Belem, Brazil – International Rivers, Amazon Watch and the Movimento Xingu Vivo para Sempre celebrate the news that Bishop Erwin Kräutler will be one of four recipients of this year's Right Livelihood Award, often referred to as the "Alternative Nobel Prize."
March and Human Banner Are Reminder that "The Rivers of the Amazon Are Alive"
700 people, many threatened by dams and deforestation, form a human banner on Tapajós River in Santarém to bring attention to the threat of large dams in the Amazon
Santarém, Para, Brazil – For the people of the Amazon, the forests and the rivers are life. That is why they mobilized at the V Pan Amazon Forum in a global call to protect the rivers of the Amazon.
Amazon Watch is building on more than 25 years of radical and effective solidarity with Indigenous peoples across the Amazon Basin.
Just Released: James Cameron's "A Message from Pandora"
The 20-minute Feature Available on the Avatar Extended Collector's Edition DVD Casts Timely Spotlight on the Battle to Stop the Belo Monte Dam in Brazil
Los Angeles, CA – James Cameron, the creator of Avatar, has produced a short new film called "A Message from Pandora" – released this week — about an epic battle to stop the massive Belo Monte Dam on the Xingu River in the Brazilian Amazon.
Construction of the Belo Monte Dam Could be Delayed
Brazilian Environmental Protection Agency Technicians Recommend Against Partial Construction License Until Safeguard Conditions Are Met
Brasilia, Brazil – The technical team from Brazil's environmental protection agency, IBAMA, has issued its long-awaited technical assessment on the Belo Monte Dam Complex strongly recommending against a partial installation license until the dam building consortium, Norte Energia complies with upwards of 40 social and environmental...
Indígenas piden a la CIDH la suspensión de la presa de Belo Monte en Brasil
EFE | Grupos de indígenas y organizaciones de derechos humanos han solicitado protección a la CIDH para que suspenda la construcción de la hidroeléctrica de Belo Monte, en la Amazonía brasileña, informó hoy la organización Amazon Watch.
Indigenous and Riverbank Communities: Suspend the Belo Monte Dam
As the government prepares to issue the dam's construction license, communities urge the Commission to denounce illegalities in licensing and violations of human rights
Washington, D.C., Brazil – Today international and Brazilian human rights and environmental organizations submitted a formal petition to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), denouncing grave and imminent violations upon the rights of indigenous and riverine communities that will be affected by the construction of Belo Monte...
Belo Monte: It's Not Too Late!
The Brazilian government is on the eve of granting permission begin construction on the Belo Monte Dam, which would carve the world's third largest hydroelectric dam into the heart of the Amazon. We need to take action now before it's too late.
Amazon in Focus 2010
In this year’s Amazon in Focus, we are pleased to present to you powerful and insightful articles from our campaigners in the field. The journeys and events that inspired these articles demonstrate the breadth of our work and, at the same time, the depth of our connection to our indigenous partners and the rainforest.
The September Eye on the Amazon Is Out!
The latest version of our Eye on the Amazon enewsletter is out and online. Among other developments, it highlights the historic agreement the Government of Ecuador has made with the United Nations to create a trust fund in exchange for refraining from drilling for oil in the Yasuni National Park.
Brazil Dam Project Prompts Animated Response from Director Cameron
CNN | Movie director, James Cameron has teamed up with environmental campaigners in an effort to help Brazilian tribes' epic fight against the construction of a controversial dam in northern Brazil. "Defending the Rivers of the Amazon" is a 10-minute interactive presentation created jointly by Amazon Watch and International Rivers.
Defending the Rivers of the Amazon, with Sigourney Weaver
10-minute Tour in 3-D Highlights the Dam's Harmful Impacts on Xingu River and Greener Alternatives
Amazon Watch and International Rivers | Sigourney Weaver Narrates New Google Earth Animation on Brazil's Controversial Belo Monte Dam in the Amazon Rainforest.
Sigourney Weaver Narrates New Google Earth Animation on Belo Monte Dam
10-minute Tour in 3-D Highlights the Dam's Harmful Impacts on Xingu River and Greener Alternatives
Amazon Watch and International Rivers have teamed up to create a state-of-the-art 10-minute Google Earth 3-D tour and video narrated by actress Sigourney Weaver in support of Brazil's Movimento Xingu Vivo Para Sempre. The video and tour allow viewers to learn about the harmful impacts of, and alternatives to the massive Belo Monte Dam Complex on...
Defending the Rivers of the Amazon
Today, Amazon Watch and International Rivers are releasing a new Google Earth tour and YouTube video called "Defending the Rivers of the Amazon," narrated by Sigourney Weaver, to draw attention to the impacts of the proposed Belo Monte Dam Complex on the people and ecology of the Xingu River.If built, Belo Monte would
Treehugger.com on James Cameron's Fight Against the Belo Monte Dam
As many supporters of Amazon Watch know by now, Avatar director and powerhouse filmmaker James Cameron has joined forces with us on a critical campaign in Brazil. Treehugger.com takes a look at Cameron's work today.
A Big Push to Stop the Belo Monte Monster Dam
It's a big day for Amazon Watch and our Brazil campaign team. We're involved in a major push to highlight the struggle against the Belo Monte Monster Dam in the Brazilian Amazon.
A Message From Pandora Trailer
"A Message from Pandora" is a special feature produced by James Cameron about the battle to stop the Belo Monte Dam on the Xingu, one of the great tributaries of the Amazon River.
James Cameron and Avatar Cast Shine Spotlight on Real Battles to Defend "Pandoras on Earth"
"A Message From Pandora" Tells the Story of the Battle to Stop the Belo Monte Dam in Brazil's Amazon Rainforest Watch a 3-minute Trailer on Avatar's Movie website or on www.messagefrompandora.org
Timed with the re-release of Avatar in theatres today, highly acclaimed director James Cameron has teamed up with Amazon Watch to produce a short feature "A Message from Pandora." The documentary spotlights the battle to stop the massive Belo Monte Dam on the Xingu River in the Brazilian Amazon, which thousands of lo
Historic Indigenous Summit Calls for Halting Brazil's Belo Monte Dam
Hundreds Converge on the Xingu River in Altamira to Highlight Threats from Mega-infrastructure Projects in the Amazon
Altamira, Brazil – Hundreds of indigenous leaders from throughout the Brazilian Amazon Basin joined local riverbank dwellers and dam-affected people this week for the historic Terra Livre Regional Encampment.
Environmental Impact Studies on Dams Count for Little in Amazon
Inter-Press Service (IPS) | ALTAMIRA, Brazil, Aug 10, 2010 (IPS) - "It's a fait accompli," acknowledges André Villas-Boas, head of the independent SocioEnvironmental Institute (ISA), resigned to the fact that the legal actions and protests have failed to block the construction of the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam in Brazil's Amazon jungle region.
Final Declaration from the Terra Livre Encampment: "In Defense of the Xingu: Against Belo Monte!"
Original Portuguese version belowWe, the indigenous peoples Juruna, Xipaya, Arara of Volta Grande, Kuruaia and Xicrin from the region of Altamira, the Guajajara, Gavião, Krikati, Awa Guajá, Kayapó of Mato Grosso and Pará, the Tembe, Aikeora, Suru?/p>
Indigenous and Social Leaders Gather in Defense of the Xingu River, August 9-12
Participants Affirm "The fight is not only against Belo Monte!"
Altamira, Brazil – At the second day of the gathering "In Defense of the Xingu: Against Belo Monte!", impassioned, steadfast speeches were given amidst colorful feather head dresses, and painted bodies and faces.
Indigenous Encampment Planned on Xingu River
Hundreds to Converge in Altamira to Highlight Threats of Proposed Belo Monte Dam Members of the Press Invited to Attend
Altamira, Brazil - Hundreds of Brazilian indigenous leaders from the Amazon Basin will be joined by local riverbank dwellers and dam-affected people to participate in a regional meeting of the Terra Livre Encampment, in Altamira, Pará, from August 9-12.
Lack of Private Sector Participation in Belo Monte Dam Consortium Signals Investor Concerns Over Financial Risks
Amazon Mega-Dam Deemed Unfeasible in Risk Scenario Analysis
Brasilia, Brazil - This week's announcement detailing the members of the consortium seeking to build the controversial Belo Monte Dam in the Brazilian Amazon reveals a striking lack of private sector participation.
Growing Legal Crisis Around Belo Monte
The Brazilian government's ruthless and politicized attacks on the Ministerio Publico Federal (MPF), in particular its targeting of the key Altamira-based Judge Antonio Carlos de Almeida Campelo, has seriously undermined the legal case against the controversial Belo Monte dam.
The Kayapo Continue Blockades of Amazon Highway for the 28th Straight Day in Protest of the Belo Monte Dam
Brazil's Indigenous Peoples Vow to Block Dam Construction or "Die Fighting for our Rights"
Piaraçu, Xingu National Park, Brazil – A group of Kayapo indigenous people led by Chief Megaron Txukarramãe have been blockading the Xingu River crossing of the BR-80, a major Amazon highway in Mato Grosso State since April 23 in protest of the government's plans to build the massive Belo Monte Dam.
Brief on Belo Monte
The Federal Injunctions of the Belo Monte AuctionThe Belo Monte auction took place on April 20, 2010 amidst the street protests taking place in major cities across Brazil. Leading up to the auction date three injunctions (restraining orders) were issued by a federal judge of Altamira.
