Brazil backs dubious project
The Special Commission of the National Congress of Brazil is studying various means of making the much derided Calha Norte mining project feasible in the country. The commission took advantage of the crisis in the investigation and surveillance system of the Amazon region (Sivam) scheme, to propose that the Calha Norte project should be resumed as a complement to Sivam.
Devised by the National Security Council in 1985, Calha Norte is supposed to be implemented on the border between Brazil and five countries covering 6,771 km. it was suspended due to financial problems. Critics opine that it is actually a militarist project that includes setting up of armed forces stations in Indian dominated areas, as was the case in the Yanomami territory.
Calha Norte was held responsible for health hazards among the Indians in Amazonia. It is estimated that 60,000 Tukano, Baniwa, Kuripako, Tikuna, Yanomami, Mayongong, Taurepang, Mcuxi and C, Wapixana Indians live in the area covered by the Calha Norte and Sivam.