AMAZONAS, BRAZIL — Images show the change in the water at Natal Waterfall in Presidente Figueiredo, in the interior of Amazonas. The site, which had clear water, became muddy in appearance on Sunday (13) after sediment from irregular construction work reached the Urubu River.

In images taken before the change, the water appears crystal clear, a characteristic of the waterfall, which is one of the municipality's tourist attractions. Later, the color changed, and the river took on a muddy appearance.

The change occurred after work was carried out in an area located upstream from Natal Waterfall, along the banks of the Urubu River. According to the Amazonas Environmental Protection Institute (Ipaam), the work involved filling and earthmoving without environmental authorization.

During a joint inspection conducted Monday morning (14), Ipaam identified a transportation company as responsible for the work that released sediment into the Urubu River. The company was cited for three environmental violations: carrying out construction work without a license, releasing waste into a waterway and intervening in a Permanent Preservation Area (APP).

According to the findings of the inspection, sediment was released into the waterway from the area where the unauthorized work was being carried out. The investigation indicates that the intervention may have been related to an attempt to create an artificial beach at the site.

The offender has 20 days from the date of notification, under the legal deadline, to submit a defense or choose to pay the fines imposed. As an administrative measure, Ipaam also ordered the work to be halted.

The responsible party must submit a Degraded Area Recovery Plan (PRAD), with measures to restore the affected area and prevent further sediment from reaching the Urubu River.

During the operation, Ipaam also found that the water in the Urubu River was returning to normal conditions.

Amazon Agency