Development projects in the Amazon and the strategies of large companies

Abstract

A current strategy of large-scale construction companies of hydroelectric schemes and mining companies, in collaboration with the State, is to favour the demarcation of indigenous lands and exercise their economic power to coopt new leaders into signing direct agreements between the indigenous communities and the companies, in the name of „indigenous self-determination" (Baines, 1993, p.239). In June 1989, agreements were signed between Taboca Mining Company and Waimiri-Atroari leaders, not valid as long as the complementary legislation to regulate mining on indigenous lands has not been approved. The Waimiri-Atroari Indigenous Land served as a precursor for the planning of strategies for the “regulated” implantation of large-scale regional development projects in indigenous lands in the Amazon – mining and hydroelectric schemes, and it influenced the formulation of the Brazilian Constitution of 1988 itself, from 1987, with a strong lobby of mining companies lead by the Taboca Mining Company, then part of the Paranapanema Group. This article reflects on these scenario where there are interests of large-scale projects in the lands of indigenous peoples, Maroons and traditional populations, and the anthropologist´s duty to denounce the attacks against the rights of indigenous peoples, Maroons and traditional populations to their lands, and to reveal the strategies of the ruralist politicians and large companies to install megaprojects in these lands, to participate in political mobilizations in defense of constitutional and international indigenous rights. Anthropologists play a undamental role in processes of demarcation of lands of indigenous peoples and Maroons and in defending the constitutional and international rights of these peoples.