Brazil: Indigenous tribes protest against Amazon dam

8 February 2011 Last updated at 20:10 GMT

Brazil: Indigenous tribes protest against Amazon dam

Please click here to access the complete article.

Hundreds of indigenous Brazilians are protesting in the capital, Brasilia, against the construction of what will be the world's third biggest hydro-electric dam.

An indigenous leader delivered a petition opposing the project signed by more than half a million people.

Environmentalists say the dam in the Amazon river basin will harm the world's biggest tropical rainforest.

Brazilian Energy Minister Edison Lobao said construction would begin soon.

Mr Lobao said the population which would be affected by the Belo Monte dam would be compensated and resettled.

But indigenous leader Raoni said he was convinced the dam would bring "bad things" to his tribe's villages.

Please click here to access the complete article.

ENDS

© Scoop Media