Brazil has initiated the clearing of eight miles of Amazon rainforest to construct a road facilitating access to Belem for COP30. The project has raised environmental concerns regarding its impact on wildlife and local livelihoods, despite aims to ease traffic congestion.
The Brazilian government has approved the clearing of eight miles of Amazon rainforest to construct a new road that will facilitate access to Belem, the host city for this year’s United Nations climate summit, COP30. This initiative has raised significant concerns among local residents and environmental activists, who assert that the new road will damage local livelihoods and lead to increased fragmentation of the forest, posing serious threats to wildlife.
The state government of Para has envisioned the construction of the Avenida Liberdade since 2012; however, environmental objections previously delayed its progress. The road project was incorporated into a broader plan in 2020, and with Brazil’s recent decision to host the COP in Belem, construction has finally commenced. The highway aims to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance road safety, thereby improving transportation in the region.
In summary, the Brazilian government’s decision to clear significant sections of the Amazon rainforest for a road intended to support the COP30 summit has drawn widespread criticism. Local communities and conservationists emphasize that the project threatens ecosystems and wildlife while compromising the livelihoods of residents. Environmental concerns, which delayed the project in the past, highlight the ongoing tensions between development and conservation efforts in the region.
Original Source: www.thetimes.com
