To address recurring water shortages, Panama plans to build a dam and reservoir that could displace more than 2,000 residents along the Río Indio.
Sachi Kitajima Mulkey reports for Grist.
In short:
- Panama is moving forward with a $1.6 billion plan to dam the Río Indio and build a reservoir to supply water to the Panama Canal and growing urban areas.
- The project would displace more than 2,000 people and affect 12,000 more, many of whom are farmers, with plans for compensation under negotiation.
- Environmental concerns and local protests have risen, with many fearing the social and ecological impacts of the displacement and construction.
Key quote:
“I think there’s often a better alternative than building a new dam, but obviously dams are still going to be built.”
— Heather Randell, an assistant professor of global policy at the University of Minnesota
Why this matters:
Panama's reliance on the canal for global trade and urban water access clashes with the potential displacement of communities, raising concerns about equitable solutions amid climate pressures.
Related EHN coverage:
