Brazilian Judge Blocks Zipline Project at Rio's Sugarloaf Mountain UNESCO Site
A judge in Brazil has issued a ruling blocking a controversial project to build a zipline connecting the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro to the nearby Morro da Urca hill. The attraction, planned to feature four ziplines spanning 755 meters, was designed to allow visitors to descend from the mountain at speeds of nearly 100 km/h (62 mph). The developer had promoted it as a major tourist draw for the city.
The project, initiated four years ago, has faced sustained opposition from local residents and environmental activists, who argued that construction activities were causing irreparable damage to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Critics contended that building the necessary platforms would require excavation of the rock atop Sugarloaf Mountain, posing a severe threat to the area's fragile ecosystem and natural integrity.
Despite assurances from the site management company that excavation would be minimized by utilizing areas with existing construction, the judge rejected these claims. The ruling emphasized the "inestimable value of Sugarloaf Mountain, not only for Brazilians but for people worldwide," and ordered the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN) and the project developer to pay 30 million reals (approximately $5.77 million) in damages. The project had previously received approvals from both Rio City Council and IPHAN, highlighting regulatory conflicts.
This legal battle has been ongoing for years, with construction halted multiple times as the company defended its case in court. In January, work resumed after a high court decision argued that stopping the project—reportedly 95% complete—would cause more harm than finishing it. However, Tuesday's ruling overturns that earlier decision, reinstating the block on construction.
The legal saga is expected to continue, as the company behind the project is likely to appeal the verdict. Activist Gricel Osorio Hor-Meyll, who led the campaign against the zipline, told AFP that the ruling was "a huge victory" for conservation efforts. The case underscores ongoing tensions between tourism development and environmental preservation in globally significant sites.
Source: www.bbc.com