Criminal activity in the Amazon is on the rise. Illicit logging has reached an alarming peak in the tropical rainforest, a trend that has been intensified by the continuous demand for commodities combined with the lack of political will, the severe repercussions of the pandemic and reduced monitoring. Opportunistic deforesters are capitalizing on the containment measures by brutally invading and stripping conservation areas, exacerbating the ecological degradation with such destructive levels not having been seen since the mid-2000s.
Brazil’s National Institute of Space Research (INPE) has announced a record level of forest clearing in the Amazon with an increase of 25% in the first half of the year. More than three thousand square kilometers of rainforest have been ruthlessly devastated in this period, bringing the twelve month total to 9,564 sq km, 89% higher than a year ago.
Brazilian Amazon under threat
The deforestation rate in the Brazilian Amazon, the world’s largest tropical rainforest, has risen by 96% comparing to last year’s figure. The emerging trends point to the highest rate recorded since 2007 when Brazil’s National Institute of Space Research began to release monthly statistics. The Brazilian President’s administration has been severe criticized by the international community in view of deforestation rates reaching unprecedented levels over 11 years. Since taking office in 2019, Jair Bolsonaro has argued on several occasions that the Amazon is overprotected and that the region should be exploited with the aim of boosting the Brazilian economy. As a result, those undertaking illegal activities are more confident about the actions they take that contribute to the destruction of the forest.
“The Bolsonaro administration has been less engaged in combating illegal deforestation than previous administrations. At times, President Bolsonaro has seemingly signaled that fines and other penalties for illegal deforestation may be forgiven, while at the same time encouraging increased mining, logging and agricultural conversion in the Amazon. He’s called the environmental defenders the enemies of the state, which is dangerous rhetoric in a place where violence against activists, indigenous leaders and journalists is common. The administration has cut the budget of IBAMA, Brazil’s law enforcement agency,” stated Rhett Butler, the Mongabay founder and CEO, in a discussion with DevelopmentAid.
The pandemic has contributed to the illegal invasion of the Amazon
The lockdown measures have exacerbated the unlawful deforestation of the Amazon, triggering an invasion of illegal loggers, miners and land speculators into safeguarded areas.
“This narrative of nature having been given a break during COVID, it’s not entirely accurate. It’s accurate in cities and peri-urban areas but unfortunately, in the rural areas, the situation is almost the inverse,” commented Sebastian Troeng, executive vice-president of Conservation International, according to the BBC.
Despite the global economic slowdown, more and more countries have reported illegal activities in the tropical rainforest. Brazil and Colombia have witnessed a jump in illegal logging and mining while the Philippines has denounced illegal deforestation and wildlife trafficking. Cambodia, Venezuela and Madagascar have revealed an increase in poaching, illegal logging and mining. Indigenous and afro-descendent communities from Ecuador have reported illegal mining in the Choco and Amazon rainforests.
The business community and international companies involved in the agricultural, industrial, mining and service sectors have joined the ranks of those who have pledged to end environmental irregularities and crime in the Amazon. Thirty-eight transnational companies along with four major business associations have sent a letter to the Amazon Council asking its representatives to adopt concerted actions and tackle the potentially irreversible ecological disaster.
Irreversible ecological disaster
According to scientists, a minimum of 70% of the Amazon must be safeguarded to ensure the lowest level of rainfall needed for forest survival is maintained.
“Scientists say the Amazon may be approaching a tipping point that would be irreversible in our lifetimes. If a significant part of the Amazon rainforest tips toward savanna, it would have severe economic and environmental impacts, including causing the mass extinction of species, exacerbating climate change and diminishing the ecosystem function that drives rainfall across much of southern South America,” concluded Rhett Butler.
The emerging trends observed during the recent months will not to be reversed when COVID measures are lifted. Therefore, according to scientists, governments are going to have to deal with the resultant severe repercussions for months and years to come.
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