Brazil: Amazon Deforestation Drops For January

Deforestation in Brazil’s section of the Amazon rainforest dropped by 61 per cent in January, the first month in office for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The President had earlier promised to relaunch environmental protection efforts in his time.

Preliminary satellite data collected by the government’s space research agency Inpe and released on Friday showed 167sq km (64sq miles) cleared in the region last month, down from the 430sq km (166sq miles) lost in January 2022.

Experts cautioned that while the decrease was a good sign, it is still too early to say that the deforestation has been reversed.

WWF-Brasil conservation specialist Daniel Silva said; “It is positive to see such a relevant drop in January.

"However, it is still too early to talk about a trend reversal, as part of this drop may be related to greater cloud cover.”

WWF-Brasil also pointed out that deforestation usually peaks in the dry season, beginning in June.

Deforestation increased dramatically under ex-President Bolsonaro, who was defeated by Lula in October elections.

Environmental and Indigenous rights groups had blamed the Bolsonaro administration’s policies for the increase in deforestation and illicit activities in the Amazon, including illegal gold mining.