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Court blocks zipline linking Rio's iconic peaks
A Brazilian judge has suspended construction of a high-speed zipline connecting Sugarloaf Mountain to Morro da Urca, siding with activists who warned of irreversible harm to the UNESCO-listed site.
Project details
The proposed attraction would have allowed visitors to descend 755 meters (0.47 miles) at speeds up to 100 km/h (62 mph) across four parallel ziplines. Developers began work four years ago and reported 95% completion.
Environmental and legal concerns
Opponents argued that excavating rock atop Sugarloaf Mountain to build access platforms would permanently damage the landscape. The managing company countered that it would minimize digging by using existing structures.
Despite securing approvals from Rio City Council and the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN), the project faced repeated court challenges. Construction was paused multiple times before resuming in January after a high-court ruling that halting work would cause greater harm.
Court ruling and penalties
In Tuesday's decision, the judge ordered IPHAN and the developer to jointly pay 30 million reals ($5.77 million; £4.35 million) in damages, emphasizing Sugarloaf Mountain's "inestimable value" to Brazilians and global visitors.
Reactions and next steps
Gricel Osorio Hor-Meyll, a leading activist, called the ruling "a huge victory" in comments to AFP. The developer is expected to appeal, prolonging the legal battle.
