A proposed constitutional amendment that could see Brazil’s famous beaches fall into private hands has outraged environmentalists and citizens in a country that prides itself on open access to its vast coastlines.
Brazil has one of the longest coastlines in the world, at around 7,500 kilometers (4,600 miles) and, by law, beaches are public assets and therefore government property. They are largely immaculate, without the monstrous condos and hotels common at seaside resorts in other countries.
However, a proposal to change the government’s ownership rule has been making its way through Congress, promoted by Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who often said during his term in office that he dreamed of creating a “Brazilian Cancún” – a nod to Mexico’s mega resort hub.
The idea is to transfer ownership of coastal lands to states, municipalities and private occupiers, which critics say could undermine environmental protection efforts and block access to beaches.
A public hearing in the Senate on Monday sparked outrage on social media.
“We will pressure the senators to vote against this proposal,” said Brazilian actress and environmental activist Laila Zaid in an Instagram video viewed nearly a million times.
The furore comes as Brazil faces historic flooding in the south, which experts blame on climate change.
Letícia Camargo, who coordinates a working group on marine conservation in Congress, told AFP that the proposal could “lead to greater occupation of marine lands at a time when climate change will make storms and coastal erosion increasingly frequent.” .
She said the change could also increase “pressure for very large real estate interests.”
The proposal has already been approved by the Chamber and Camargo said it will probably be approved by the Senate Constitution and Justice Committee, where the right-wing opposition has a majority.
It then goes to the Senate plenary for a vote.
Camargo says he is certain that public pressure could delay the amendment.
Local media reported that the president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco, will not immediately put the matter on the agenda for a vote.
Flavio Bolsonaro said on X that it was “fake news” that the objective was to privatize beaches.
Daniel Capecchi, professor of constitutional law at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, said that if it were to be voted on there was a “considerable probability” that the measure would be approved.
However, he said if studies prove the change will have a serious environmental impact, it could be challenged in court as a violation of the unalterable constitutional right to an ecologically balanced environment.
Camargo said that the strong public reaction shows “that if you mess with Brazilian culture in such a serious way, which is our access and our use of the beach, you touch on a serious issue.”
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