Environmental licence for São Luiz do Tapajós hydroelectric dam denied

Ibama, Brazils environmental agency has denied an environmental license, for the proposed 8,000-megawatt São Luiz do Tapajós dam on the Tapajós River in the Amazon, a decision seen as a victory by the Munduruku Indians and environmentalists.

The Amazon mega-dam would have required the flooding of Munduruku territory known as the Sawré Muybu, a land claim first recognized by Funai, the federal indigenous affairs agency, in April of this year.

The Brazilian constitution forbids such uses of indigenous lands.

The decision will not likely end controversy in the region.

 The Brazilian government has major development plans for the Tapajós river basin, including 43 dams on the Tapajós River and its tributaries, ten of which are considered priority, to be completed by 2022.