A judge in Brazil has blocked a project to build a zipline connecting the famous Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro to a nearby hill, Morro da Urca. The attraction's developer stated that it would allow visitors to descend from Sugarloaf Mountain at speeds of almost 100km/h (62mph) via four ziplines spanning a distance of 755m (0.47 miles).
However, the project, which began four years ago, has been the center of protests from locals and environmentalists who argue that its construction is causing irreparable damage to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Activists, like Gricel Osorio Hor-Meyll, expressed that the court's ruling was 'a huge victory'.
In response to the ruling, the developer is expected to appeal. Despite having received approval from both the Rio City Council and the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN), concerns raised by opponents included the need for significant excavation on Sugarloaf Mountain to build platforms for the zipline.
As part of the ruling, the judge ordered IPHAN and the project's developer to pay 30 million reals ($5.77 million, £4.35 million) in damages, emphasizing the 'inestimable value' of Sugarloaf Mountain not just for Brazilians but for people worldwide. This project has been embroiled in legal disputes and has experienced multiple construction halts over the years, faced with strong opposition from various stakeholders.
However, the project, which began four years ago, has been the center of protests from locals and environmentalists who argue that its construction is causing irreparable damage to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Activists, like Gricel Osorio Hor-Meyll, expressed that the court's ruling was 'a huge victory'.
In response to the ruling, the developer is expected to appeal. Despite having received approval from both the Rio City Council and the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN), concerns raised by opponents included the need for significant excavation on Sugarloaf Mountain to build platforms for the zipline.
As part of the ruling, the judge ordered IPHAN and the project's developer to pay 30 million reals ($5.77 million, £4.35 million) in damages, emphasizing the 'inestimable value' of Sugarloaf Mountain not just for Brazilians but for people worldwide. This project has been embroiled in legal disputes and has experienced multiple construction halts over the years, faced with strong opposition from various stakeholders.
