Government begins removing fences along the shores of Lake Paranoá.

Paula Laboissière - Reporter for Agência Brasil*

The Federal District Inspection Agency (Agefis) began today (24) the demolition of fences on the shore of Lake Paranoá. The action began around 8 am in QL 12 of Lago Sul, a prime area of ​​Brasília, and should reach at least seven houses in the region by the end of the day. The fences will be demolished to free up an area of ​​30 meters from the shore of Lake Paranoá. Men from the Civil Police, the Military Police and the Brasília Environmental Institute (Ibram) are monitoring the process.

Walls, fences, gates, and wire fences located in public areas that impede circulation along the lake's edge will be removed. The eviction was mandated by a 2011 court ruling in response to a 2005 public civil action filed by the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Federal District and Territories. Piers, gazebos, and sports courts built by residents within the 30-meter strip will be maintained until the completion of the area's use and recovery plan, which will be developed by the district government. No removals will occur on properties with registered titles within the permanent preservation area, nor on lots belonging to the Federal Government or embassies. The expectation is that the 80 kilometers of shoreline will be clear within two years.

The first house to undergo the action was that of accountant Sérgio Ferreira, 25 years old. He and his family decided, on their own, to start removing the fence yesterday (23). With the release of the area determined by Agefis, a sand field and half of a football field were removed, in addition to a ramp for direct access of boats to the waters of the lake.

"We waited until the last moment [to move the fences back], to see if anything would happen," he said. "There's no planning for this area. They [the Federal District government] still don't know what they're going to do, how they're going to do it, or where they're going to get the money to do it," he added.

Architect Sabrina Estrela, 38, lives in Lago Sul and attended the scene of the action to "show solidarity" with the other residents. She complained that the area is a constant target of robberies and called the demolition of fences a "theatre."

"My house isn't on the schedule yet, but I'm showing solidarity with this farce that's happening here. I want to know if the governor is going to come here to take care of us, to provide security," she said. "If they built a nice park, with a playground, I'd applaud, but that's not going to happen."

Birdwatcher Tancredo Maia, 68, approves of the measure. He said that, as a user of green areas and parks in Brasília, he misses having greater access to Lake Paranoá.

"Clearing the area is the most important thing. What comes after that is a consequence. If there's a planned park, it will be much better. If there isn't, it's no problem at all. The population will take ownership of this space if they have access to it," he said.

*With information from the Brasília News Agency