Residents of the Aturiá complex in Araxá, Brazil, were evicted due to a court decision aimed at proceeding with tourism development amidst rising waters from the Amazon River.
On Monday, October 16, residents from the Aturiá complex located in the Araxá neighborhood were forcibly removed from their homes following a ruling by Judge Robson Timoteo Damasceno of the 1st Public Treasury Court of Macapá. This eviction was initiated to facilitate construction work related to a tourism complex in the area, which has been severely affected by the rising waters of the Amazon River, especially during high tide periods. The state's Attorney General's Office (PGE) claimed that the removal of these families was essential to move forward with these infrastructural projects.
This decision has raised significant concerns among the displaced families, many of whom have expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of assistance provided during this upheaval. The situation stems from a public ministry action aiming to diminish the vulnerability of these residents, led by the Amapá Public Ministry (MP-AP). Although the MP requested the constructing of a retaining wall to protect the affected families, studies conducted by the State Secretariat of Infrastructure (Seinf) concluded that this solution alone would not suffice to mitigate the risks posed by the advancing river.
Ultimately, the comprehensive plan necessitated the complete removal of homes to allow for effective drainage, land raising, and the subsequent building of the retaining wall. This situation underscores the ongoing challenges facing vulnerable communities in Brazil, particularly regarding their safety and housing stability amidst environmental changes and government development projects.
