In a welcome turn of events, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon plummeted by 31% in the first five months of this year compared to the same timeframe in the previous year, as per an announcement made by the government.
A total of 1,986 square kilometers of rainforest were lost, compared to the 2,867 square kilometers deforested in the same period of the previous year, according to the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe).
João Paulo Capobianco, the executive secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA), spoke about the inherited issue of high deforestation rates from the previous government but highlighted a 31% reduction in the January to May period of this year.
Notably, around 46% of this year’s deforestation occurred on publically registered rural properties in the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR), making it possible for the government to identify the individuals responsible for the area.
Other significant contributions to deforestation were made by rural settlements (21%) and undesignated public forest areas (15%).
Illegal deforestation is a significant concern, said Rodrigo Agostinho, president of the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama).
Ibama enforced more than 2 billion reais (US$400 million) in fines during this period, marking a 179% increase from the previous year.
Efforts to curb deforestation included issuing 7,196 infraction notices and seizing over 2,200 farms or rural lots, ceasing their activities.
To further enhance these efforts, the government launched a new edition of the Plan to Prevent and Combat Deforestation in the Legal Amazon (PPCDAm), which includes over 130 objectives to be met by 2027.
This comprehensive plan was submitted for public consultation earlier this year and received over 500 suggestions.
It aims to consolidate efforts in various areas, such as increased inspection, regularization of property titles, application of fines, and more.
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