60 dams are planned to be built in the Brazilian Amazon, an
Amazon that is populated with over 70 tribes. They are the Belo Monte Dams. The
Brazilian Government have agreed to building so it seems that all hope may be
lost. But, with the strong flow of people against this it has the potential to
become a huge economical war. This river is a major supplier of food and water
to many of these Amazonian tribes, including the Kayapo tribe. The Kayapo
people live the same way now as their ancestors did hundreds of years ago. The
river is a part of their everyday routine and if the Belo Monte Dam were to be
built then this will cause devastation to the tribe. They will become displaced
and have to relocate, but with other tribes in the area a turf war could
happen. Parts of the Amazon will be flooded, others will be dried out. But,
this Dam doesn’t have to be constructed if modern day people like you and I
would lessen our consumption of electricity use. Personally I feel that this is
an extremely selfish act by mankind. Sure, it will provide electricity to a
country full of technology addicts but knowing that a whole village could lose
their home gives the making of this dam less appeal. If someone were to agree
with constructing the Belo Monte Dam then they must have no human compassion at
all. To be able to completely disregard a population is inhuman. There is a
movie, Avatar, which was closely related to what
the Kayapo Tribe may have to
go through. The director of Avatar, James Cameron, is openly against the making
of the Belo Monte Dam. Sigourney Weaver, an actress in the movie and had a TV
interview in relation to this. It strongly supports my point.
Watch here:
the Kayapo Tribe may have to
go through. The director of Avatar, James Cameron, is openly against the making
of the Belo Monte Dam. Sigourney Weaver, an actress in the movie and had a TV
interview in relation to this. It strongly supports my point. Watch here:
After watching this clip I was immediately disgusted at how
neglectful the boss of the building of Belo Monte was towards the native tribes.
However, I was extremely inspired by the Kayapo people. Their way of life is so
simplistic and beautiful. I imagined what this world would look like if we
lived as they did and I saw tall old mossy trees that went on forever. Kids
being active and playing in the rivers, revelling in nature and all its beauty.
Then I go out, into my world, and I see 5 year olds and 10 year olds sitting
down playing on iPads. I see adults and teenagers playing seemingly pointless
games on iPhones, their faces not showing an ounce of emotion. I saw a huge
contrast between the world I know and the world the Kayapo people now. If I had
to choose which way of life to live, I would choose the Kayapo way of life.
They are not selfish. They are not petty. They just want to live life the way
their people have for centuries.
Links in this post:
http://amazonwatch.org/news/2013/0507-brazil-indians-occupy-belo-monte-dam-site
Unfortunately, in recent developments
the Kayapo people have been expelled from their homes. Life went from being
serene and peaceful to horrifying and violent.
The women, men and children have been forced
to leave by men with guns and batons. Violence was used to rule a tribe out of
their land. All of this for a dam? So that we can have enough power to make our
bread crispy? Or to watch TV or play violent video games?
This is why I wouldn’t in a million years vote for the construction
of the Belo Monte Dam. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself knowing that I
was a part of flooding 40000 acres of green scenery and untouched land. Why
couldn’t the Brazilian Government find another way to cater for the electrical
needs of Brazil? Why couldn’t the Government just let this beautiful rainforest
remain as it has for centuries?
There is hope though, protests being held on the Belo Monte
construction site have postponed the project continuing. Indigenous tribes,
journalists from around the world and people from everywhere are vacating the
premises. The difference between the takeover of the Kayapo Village and the
construction site? That’s easy, pride. These protesters will stand between the
Amazon and the heavy machinery for as long as they can
http://www.cntraveler.com/features/2011/12/2011-environmental-award-winner-andre-villas-boas
http://www.globalsherpa.org/brazil-brasilhttp://amazonwatch.org/news/2013/0507-brazil-indians-occupy-belo-monte-dam-site
