Plan to build scientific research centre and 6 mile walkway through Amazon rainforest

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'PLANS are underway to build a science centre and six-mile (9.6km) walkway through the rainforest in the heart of the Amazon, with the British organisers hopeful that "Avatar" director James Cameron will come on board the eco-project.
The $10 million site will serve as a meeting point for scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens and universities, as well as a tourist attraction, The (London) Sunday Times reported.

It will also provide jobs for local Brazilian tribes who will take an estimated two years to construct the centre and walkway in Roraima, an isolated province in northeast Brazil.

"This will be the first scientific research center to be built in the jungle proper," Robert Pasley-Tyler, from the Amazon Charitable Trust, which is backing the scheme, said.

The site will be designed by Marks Barfield Architects, the firm behind the London Eye and the treetops walkway in the UK's Royal Botanic Gardens.

"It doesn't support a lot of people in the natural state. You have to be very careful about what you bring in," said David Marks, from Marks Barfield Architects, adding that the site could be constructed from bamboo.

While Pasley-Tyler is hopeful that Cameron will lend his support to the plans, discussions with the Avatar director have not yet taken place.'


This sounds fascinating and is encouraging news for once (with regard to the Amazon) especially as it comes after yesterday's awful Belo Monte report.

I really hope that JC will take part in this, although we need many more 'high profile' people to do as he has and start showing some interest.

I'd love to go there and see for myself, if/when this ever comes to fruition.