Brazil: under Lula, deforestation in the Amazon triples in March

The Institute of Man and Environment of the Amazon (Imazon) reported this Thursday, March 20, that deforestation in the Amazon tripled in March.

Also, according to the survey, the first quarter of this year is the second worst since 2008.

According to Imazon, almost 900 square kilometers (km²) of the forest were cut down, the equivalent of almost one thousand Maracanã stadiums.

Furthermore, of the nine states that make up the Legal Amazon, eight showed an increase in deforestation, except for Amapá.

Most (76%) of the deforestation occurred in private areas or under various stages of ownership.

The rest of the deforestation was registered in settlements (19%), conservation Units (4%), and indigenous lands (1%).

“The federal and state governments need to act together to prevent further devastation, especially in protected areas and undesignated public forests,” recommended Imazon.

“It will also be necessary not to let cases of illegal deforestation and appropriation of public lands go unpunished.”

AMAZONAS STATE LEADS DEFORESTATION RANKING

Imazon said that in Amazonas, 104 km² were deforested in March 2023.

This represents an increase of almost nine times compared to 2022 when 12 km² were recorded.

With information from Revista Oeste