In brief
In a significant legal decision, a Brazilian judge has halted the construction of a zipline connecting Sugarloaf Mountain to a nearby hill, following protests from environmentalists and local residents who feared damage to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The developer intends to appeal this ruling, which emphasizes the cultural and natural significance of the area.
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 said it would allow visitors to descend from Sugarloaf Mountain at speeds of almost 100km/h (62mph) via four ziplines covering a distance of 755m (0.47 miles).The project, which started four years ago, had triggered protests from locals and environmentalists who argued that the construction work was causing irreparable damage to the Unesco World Heritage Site. The developer is expected to appeal against the decision. Activist Gricel Osorio Hor-Meyll described the ruling as a huge victory for opponents who feared excavation of the mountain's rock to facilitate the construction. Although the company managing the site claimed the excavation would be minimal, local objections persisted.In addition to the construction halt, the judge mandated that both the project developer and the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN) pay 30 million reals ($5.77m, £4.35m) in damages, emphasizing the vast importance of Sugarloaf Mountain globally. The project has been embroiled in a legal battle, with construction having resumed earlier this year after a ruling sought completion due to the project's advanced stage. However, this latest decision has temporarily halted those efforts, with the expectation of continued legal disputes ahead.
