Fama

Reservoir and Modified Landscape

Abstract

The Furnas Hydroelectric water reservoir, located in the state of Minas Gerais, started its operation in 1963 to solve the energy crisis that threatened the main socio-economic urban areas of the Southeast region of Brazil. However, its reservoir was responsible for many changes in the regional landscape, especially in the city of Fama, where beaches and canyons were formed, villages were flooded, part of the urban area was submerged and the city, which had been an access route to other towns, has now become isolated. The transformations continue to occur in Fama and modify the way of life of the population, even more than 50 years after the power plant construction. These considerations reinforce the relevance of the discussion about the impacts caused by the implementation of hydroelectric plants. If on one hand it seems obvious to reinvest in urban projects as the demand for energy increases in the country, on the other much has to be discussed concerning the environmental impacts of these constructions. Dialogue must be established with the population affected by the constructions to avoid the same feeling of impotence felt by population of Fama in the 1960s.