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Chinese premier Li Keqiang is to push controversial plans for a railway through the Amazon rainforest during a visit to South America next week, despite concerns about the possible impact on the environment and on indigenous tribes.
Currently just a line on a map, the proposed 5,300km route in Brazil and Peru would reduce the transport costs for oil, iron ore, soy beans and other commodities, but cut through some of the world’s most biodiverse forest.
Although major Chinese firms have put in place improved guidelines, conservationists and campaigners for indigenous rights fear this project will continue that trend by carving up nature reserves, crossing the land of uncontacted tribes and opening up indigenous land for development. This is expected to prompt an outcry.
...
“Past mega-projects suggest that far from consulting the indigenous communities that lay in their path, the government is more likely to steamroll their rights while paying mere lip service to environmental protection,” said Christian Poirier of Amazon Watch. “As with road projects, railways open access to previously remote regions, bring a flow of migrant workers inevitably followed by deforestation mafias and cattle ranchers, creating a perfect storm of pressures upon the forest and forest peoples.”
"Li's visit provides Brazil with timely opportunities. It desperately needs to upgrade its infrastructure, whose deplorable condition results in inefficiency, uncertainty and prohibitive transportation costs within the country," it argued.
After three days in Brazil, Mr Li will travel to Colombia, Peru and Chile, the other stops on his four-nation tour. The trip underlines China's growing role in a region long considered the United States' backyard. In January, Xi Jinping, China's president, vowed to invest $250 billion in the region over the coming decade in return for access to Venezuelan oil, Brazilian iron ore and Peruvian copper.
originally posted by: Irishhaf
between something like this and the Belo Monte dam.. (I believe that is still being constructed) the environment is well and truly screwed.
also lets not forget the impact on the local peoples... (que look what the Americans did so the Brazilian govt should be allowed to also argument.)
originally posted by: johnwick
originally posted by: Irishhaf
between something like this and the Belo Monte dam.. (I believe that is still being constructed) the environment is well and truly screwed.
also lets not forget the impact on the local peoples... (que look what the Americans did so the Brazilian govt should be allowed to also argument.)
Why can't they have modern rail transport?
This is a very poor part of the world.
This could help boost their economies by factors.
They shouldn't have to live in poverty, because you decided they can't have railroads like everybody else.