An ICV report shows that 91% of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon between August 2023 and July 2024 was illegal, with unauthorized clearing also high in the Cerrado. Current laws permit limited legal clearing, but ineffective monitoring has led to widespread violations. Experts urge stronger enforcement and more stringent policies to combat this issue.
A recent report reveals that an alarming 91% of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon from August 2023 to July 2024 was unauthorized. Conducted by the Center of Life Institute (ICV), this analysis indicates a significant challenge regarding illegal forest clearing, which affects the Amazon and the biodiverse Cerrado savanna, where 51% of deforestation occurred without proper authorization. Current Brazilian laws permit limited legal deforestation on private land, yet the extent of unauthorized clearing indicates a failure to monitor compliance effectively.
The report highlights that while some legal deforestation is permitted — up to 20% in the Amazon and 80% in the Cerrado — much of the forest clearing was not recorded in official databases. Vinicius Salgueiro of ICV emphasized the need for stronger enforcement measures coupled with financial disincentives against illegal activities, stating, “to end the current logic that seems to prevail, that illegal deforestation pays off.”
Researchers utilized a methodology that compared satellite alerts for deforestation with legal permit records. Their findings indicated that between August 2023 and July 2024, only a small fraction (9%) of deforestation in the Amazon and 49% in the Cerrado was authorized. This discrepancy points to systemic issues, with only eight out of sixteen states fully integrating their permit data into the federal system, Sinaflor, complicating efforts to manage legal deforestation.
Marcondes Coelho from ICV stressed the importance of transparency, noting, “Illegal deforestation thrives in the absence of transparency.” He criticized the fragmented permit system, which reduces oversight and fosters opportunities for fraudulent activities. Furthermore, Suely Araújo from Brazil’s Climate Observatory remarked on the persistent issues of illegality in Amazon deforestation, alongside the rising influence of organized crime in the region.
Araújo expressed concern over authorized deforestation in the Cerrado, urging for stricter permit regulations and better strategies to promote agriculture in areas already cleared. She indicated that although state agencies approve deforestation, excessive permissions continue to exacerbate the problem, calling for significant reforms in environmental policies.
The report by the Center of Life Institute underscores a critical environmental crisis in Brazil, highlighting that a staggering 91% of deforestation in the Amazon over the past year was illegal. With inadequate transparency and fragmented data, illegal practices continue to proliferate despite existing regulations. To combat this issue effectively, authorities must enhance legal compliance measures and adopt more rigorous enforcement strategies alongside initiatives that discourage illegal deforestation.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
