SEARCH

Subscribe to our newsletter:

Name:

Email:

where do you live?
UK BRAZIL SOMEWHERE ELSE

Muddy Couture - Label takes fashionistas to the subhuman world of the river Tiete

Currently, the TietĂȘ is a dead river, with no aquatic life. The main sources of pollution in the urban stretch of the river are of domestic and industrial origin, but agricultural activities in nearby regions also contribute to the worsening of the situation, depositing high levels of fertilizers and agro-toxins that compromise the quality of the reserves. Every day, three billion litres of waste are dumped
into the TietĂȘ, as well as industrial pollution and, according to the State Environmental Secretary (CETESB), the quality of the water is considered atrocious.

The only attitude that Paulistanos take in relation to the pollution of the river is to roll up their window screens and try to avoid the stench whilst driving along the avenue that backs onto it. This attitude, however, has recently begun to change, according to Douglas Siqueira, of the Navigate SĂŁo Paulo
Institute: “It’s important that the population starts to have more contact with the river, to make them refl ect and to draw attention to the responsibility that we all share”.

The government is trying to save the river through the Projeto TietĂȘ. A project that is being carried out by the CETESB, who are responsible for preventing industrial pollution, and by SABESP, who are in charge of sewerage. The second step of the project, with work being centred mainly on the basin
of the River Pinheiros, one of the main tributaries of the River TietĂȘ, is set to be concluded in the fi rst half of 2008. Even though they’re moving at a slow pace and with little visible results to show the
population, at least the government seems to be taking steps to help the TietĂȘ return to its former glory as a natural leisure area and a place for sailing, because today it only serves as a stage for unusual fashion shows and lots and lots of rubbish. JD

TAGS

rio