Brazil River Dispute Highlights Larger Issue
by
Audio for this story will be available at approx. 9:00 a.m. ET
Morning Edition, August 29, 2007 · Brazil's most hotly contested public conflicts today are often about water.
President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva says hydro-electric energy is a sine qua non for the development of South America's biggest economy. But environmental and indigenous groups increasingly oppose massive engineering projects.
The proposal to divert part of Brazil's mighty Sao Francisco River to the vast drought-prone Northeast epitomizes the debate.
No other river, the Amazon included, has such a hold on the imagination of Brazilians. "Old Chico," as the Sao Francisco River is affectionately, called has been immortalized in folklore and celebrated at Carnival.
No comments:
Post a Comment