With a judge now ordering the work on the massive construction project otherwise known as the Belo Monte Dam to be brought to a halt, the reasons cited for this halt in progress is because of the negative impact that it can have on the indigenous tribes in the area as well as the environment as well.

This comes as a surprise as the construction of this dam was authorized only a month ago by the Brazilian environmental agency known as IBAMA, with the judge Ronaldo Desterro, also clarifying that this decision was made as they came under pressure from the dam’s contractor, Norte Energia (NESA).

Despite the fact that the Brazilian government considers this project to be vital to meeting the energy demands of the nation, in powering almost 23 million homes, this 3.75 mile dam along the Xingu river, a tributary of the Amazon River, could displace several indigenous tribes while also requiring the clearing of almost 588 acres of the Amazon jungle.

In support of this jarring decision, Desterro clearly stated that the officials at IBAMA did not address 29 environmental concerns, and also order Brazil’s National Development Bank from transferring funds to NESA for the project.

While IBAMA’s last official chief was suspected to resign due to his continued opposition of the dam, this latest decision which halts the $ 17 billion project can give environmentalists something to cheer about but there is no doubt that this saga is far from over because of the fact that the country’s President, who is in favor of the project, can so easily overturn Desterro’s decision to complete the project.