Indigenous anti-dam activist in Peru wins top U.S. environmental prize
Indigenous anti-dam activist in Peru wins top U.S. environmental prize
LIMA Mon Apr 28, 2014 11:10am EDT
(Reuters) - An indigenous activist whose lawsuits helped derail plans to dam Peruvian rivers to supply electricity to Brazil has won a top environmental award in the United States, prize organizers said on Monday.
Ruth Buendia, a 37-year-old leader of the Ashaninka people in the Peru's central Amazon, will collect the Goldman Environmental Prize and $175,000 on Monday evening in San Francisco with six other recipients from different countries.
Buendia’s winning highlights one of several efforts around the world to halt mega dams proposed in emerging countries where surging demand for electricity outpaces supply.
Buendia said the Paquitzapango hydroelectric project - one of five dams envisioned churning out up to 7,200 megawatts in a pact between Brazil and Peru - would have flooded her people's traditional land, displacing between 8,000 and 10,000 people.
More:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/28/us-peru-environment-goldman-idUSKBN0DE1L620140428?rpc=401&feedType=RSS&feedName=environmentNews&rpc=401
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Ruth Buendia[/center]
