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Leila Salazar-López: The government recently announced plans to construct 23 large dams over the next eight years. While this number remains unacceptably high, it's actually lower than previous government projections. The government has not publicly disclosed the reasons for its revised projections, but we believe that the shift reflects growing recognition that the dam construction in the Amazon will continue to face legal challenges and costly delays stemming from the strong opposition of local communities and international organizations.So the protests are having an effect?
Construction on Belo Monte has been halted on at least seven occasions over the last year due to the protests. This has caused a drop in shareholders' profits, and it's predicted that the construction companies may lose up to $2 billion in revenue if things continue at this pace.What have been the consequences on the indigenous population from the dams being built?
Maria Irigaray: The consequences are serious and widespread. There are issues with contaminated water, having fishing and trade routes blocked off, food supplies diminishing, conflicts within the communities due to money being offered to some and not others, an increase of alcohol and drug use, and death due to the consumption of industrial food.
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Some of the chiefs have been to different government meetings several times, but there's no true dialogue. President Dilma has never met them and has given the clear message that, despite all of the protests, the building of the Belo Monte dam will go ahead.
Leila: The Belo Monte dam campaign continues to be a frontline battle that needs to be fought for the future of the communities, forest, and last remaining wild rivers of the Amazon. Even if the campaign is not fully successful in stopping the first dam, the growing controversy is likely to lessen the project’s adverse impacts on Xingu River communities and ecosystems, increase the project’s financial and reputational costs, and put the brakes on future upstream dams planned.Thanks, guys.Follow Joseph on Twitter: @josephfcoxMore stories from Brazil:MC Daleste Is the Seventh Baile Funk Artist Murdered in Sao PauloBrazil's Confederations Cup Ended in Tear Gas and Rubber BulletsHow Last Week's Celebration in Rio de Janeiro Turned ViolentOnce Upon a Time, Brazil Protested with Psychedelic Rock'n'Roll
