Residents of ‘paradise’ in MG are inspired by Furnas to defend the lagoon’s listing

A paradise close to Belo Horizonte, this is how the residents define Lapinha da Serra, a district of Santana do Riacho that is about 140 kilometers from the capital of Minas Gerais. The dam lagoon is one of the main attractions of the place, but suffers from low water levels during dry periods. Therefore, a movement that brought together the Lapinha da Serra Community Association and the Lapinha da Serra Commercial Association (ACLS) seeks the district’s listing and the preservation of a minimum quota of the lagoon, just as happened in Furnas. The request for listing is also supported by the Municipal Department of Education and Culture and the Municipal Council for Cultural Heritage, of the Municipality of Santana de Riacho.

In addition to being a major tourist attraction, the dam is also used by the Coronel Américo Teixeira Small Hydroelectric Plant (PCH). The structure has an installed power of 5.6 MW, enough to serve up to 1,800 homes. Bernardo Nacif, president of the Lapinha Da Serra Commercial Association, explains that the movement is not against the hydroelectric plant, but rather in favor of finding a common denominator that benefits both the company, residents and tourism. The problem is that, according to Bernardo, the company does not dialogue with the community.

‘What is the way to maintain the level of the water surface? Similar to what happened in Furnas, here in Minas Gerais. Previously, during periods of drought, some ‘arms’ of Furnas would dry out and this would harm tourism. Today, if you get there, you will see that the level of the water surface has not dropped 50 centimeters, because they managed to protect the water surface by tipping it over. They demonstrated the impoverishment of tourism and the entire production chain during the dry period. In other words, inns were not in demand and jobs were lost. This production chain only resumed when the waters returned, at the end of October’.

According to the president of ACLS, who is also a lawyer, the reduction in water levels not only causes impoverishment during four or five months of the year but also affects fauna and flora: ‘there comes a time of year when we have to transfer fish from one lake to another so that they do not agonize and die. Furthermore, the number of ticks that appear in the area is impressive.’

The petition organized by the movement has already accumulated almost 1,300 signatures on the Change website. The idea is to demonstrate that the listing of Lapinha da Serra is widely supported, not just by those who live in the region: ‘Tourism affects the entire production chain. In Lapinha da Serra, there is no one who does not depend directly or indirectly on this. Our proposal is to show this community and bring consistency to tourism’.

A Itatiaia contacted Gênesis Energia, responsible for the Small Hydroelectric Plant (PCH) Coronel Américo Teixeira, and is awaiting a response. We also contacted the Minas Gerais Public Ministry (MPMG), Federal Public Ministry (MPF) and Santana de Riacho City Hall. The space remains open.

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