Work on controversial Panama dam halted

Panama

In their long-shot campaign, they've protested by the thousands, clashed with police and blocked the Pan-American Highway. But after years of fierce opposition, the Ngöbe indigenous group won a victory Feb. 9, when Panama’s National Environmental Authority (Anam) temporarily suspended construction of the Barro Blanco dam along the edge of their territory by the Tabasará River. Using reports dating back to the previous government of President Ricardo Martinelli, Anam cited a string of violations in justifying its decision to halt work on the dam. Those included a lack of prior consent with the Ngöbe as well as inadequate management of erosion, sedimentation and toxic waste by the Honduran builder, Genisa. “There are different instruments of environmental management that the company must fulfill,” Mirei... [Log in to read more]

Would you like to Subscribe?