BRAZIL – Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil rose by 43 percent in April compared to the same month last year, government data has shown.
A total of 1,157 sq km of rainforest were destroyed in the first four months of 2021. This was down 4% from a year earlier.
The Amazon is a vital carbon store that slows down the pace of global warming.
Scientists say the loss of forest has accelerated since Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro took office in 2019.
The president has encouraged agricultural and mining activities in the world’s largest rainforest, and rolled back environmental legislation.
Conservationists are fearing the worst ahead of this year’s dry season, when deforestation usually peaks from May to October.
In November last year the country’s space agency (Inpe) reported that deforestation of the Amazon had surged to its highest level since 2008. (BBC)
