Report Reveals 91% of Brazilian Amazon Deforestation Was Illegal Last Year
A report indicates that 91% of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon during the past year was illegal. The figure for unauthorized clearing in the Cerrado was also significant at 51%. The findings reveal severe shortcomings in environmental enforcement and transparency related to deforestation permits.
A new report from the NGO Center of Life Institute (ICV) reveals that an alarming 91% of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon between August 2023 and July 2024 was conducted illegally. In contrast, the Cerrado region, known for its rich biodiversity, recorded that 51% of forest clearing also occurred without authorization. The findings raise serious concerns about the enforcement of environmental laws in these crucial ecosystems.
Brazilian legislation permits specific legal deforestation on private lands meant for economic use, allowing landowners in the Amazon to clear 20% of their property under a government permit, while in the Cerrado, this limit rises to 80%. However, the ICV report indicates that much of this clearing remains unregistered, indicating a pattern of widespread illegal activity.
Vinicius Salgueiro from ICV’s Territorial Intelligence Unit emphasized the urgency of addressing illegal deforestation, stating, “These results highlight the scale of the challenge in combating illegal deforestation in Brazil’s largest and most pressured biomes.” He further noted the need for more robust enforcement combined with financial disincentives for illegal clearing.
The researchers utilized satellite monitoring from the Brazilian space agency, cross-referencing alerts with national and state-level permit databases. Findings showed that only 9% of Amazon deforestation and 49% in the Cerrado were duly authorized. Furthermore, eight of the 16 states had inadequate integration with the federal permit database, hindering effective oversight of legal deforestation.
Marcondes Coelho, who leads the transparency and climate justice program at ICV, remarked, “Illegal deforestation thrives in the absence of transparency,” underscoring the challenges posed by the fragmented permit system that creates opportunities for fraud and hampers enforcement efforts.
Suely Araújo, public policy coordinator at Brazil’s Climate Observatory, noted that illegal deforestation has been a persistent issue in the Amazon, worsened by organized crime and inadequate government oversight. She calls for stricter permitting processes in the Cerrado, stating that current approvals contribute to ecological deterioration, as state environmental agencies often grant excessive permissions.
The report from ICV illuminates the severe extent of illegal deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon and Cerrado regions, with 91% and 51% respectively noted as unauthorized. It underscores the need for improved transparency, enforcement, and regulatory practices to combat this environmental crisis. Fostering stricter policies may address the persistence of such illegal activities and promote sustainable land use practices.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
