large dams have resulted in grave environmental and social repercussions worldwide. Representatives from organisations in 20 countries will meet in Curitiba, Brazil from March 11-14, at the first international conference of people affected by large dams.
They will discuss alternatives to large dams and other destructive river infrastructure projects and evolve adequate compensation regimes for those who have already lost lands, homes and livelihoods as a result of these schemes.
In the last 50 years, large dams have displaced between 30-60 million people worldwide. Millions more will be evicted by those under construction. Depleting agricultural yield and fish stocks have impoverished tens of millions of people living downstream of large dams. Large populations have been affected by diseases and killed by floods caused by dam breaks and badly-timed releases from reservoirs.
The conference is being organised by Brazil's Movement of People Affected by Large Dams. Its members include farmers, indigenous peoples, riverine populations and urban dwellers.
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