The Mundurukus people denounces the presence of the Tapajos National Force

The river Tapajos is the only major river in the Amazon without dams. In an unprecedented move, which surprised the indigenous and riverside organizations fighting against the construction of dams, the Federal Government sent about 250 members of the Federal Police, the Federal Highway Police and the National Force of Public Safety with the logistic support of the Brazilian Army to ensure the environmental impact studies of the Hydropower Plant São Luiz do Tapajós.

Operation Tapajós, as it is being called, was possible after the president of the republic signed on March 12, 2013, the decree 7957. This decree established the Permanent Bureau of Integrated Management for Environmental Protection (GGI-MA) and  regulated activity of the Armed Forces in environmental protection and pointed the functions of the National Public Security Force regarding the safety of the environment.

On last Thursday, March 28, in the middle of Holy Week holiday, the detachment moved to the Indian Territory Munduruku more precisely to the village Sawré Maybu which could be flooded if the dam is built. The Mundurukus already announced that they are against the construction of dams and are negotiating with the Federal Government on how the prior consultation as provided by the Resolution 169 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) should be organised.