Amazon Deforestation Hits Highest Level Since 2008, Forest Loses 9,762 Sq Km In 12 Months

Brazil¡¯s Amazon rainforest witnessed worst deforestation in more than a decade, the country¡¯s government report stated. The findings of the report clearly undermine the officials¡¯ claims that activists and environmentalists had exaggerated concerns.

Deforestation of Brazil's Amazon rainforest increased by 29.5 per cent in 12 months, the highest rate since 2008. The rainforest lost 9,762 sq km (3,769 sq miles) of its vegetation between August 2018 and July 2019, National Institute for Space Research or INPE, said.

Since Jair Bolsonaro assumed office, concern about the Amazon augmented. His policies include loosening protections around natural reserves and indigenous lands as a means to promote economic development.

The far-right President has in the past questioned the accuracy of data provided by the agency. His administration has spent a lot of energy attacking data on deforestation.

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Bolsonaro - who in July dismissed a similar INPE report as flawed - has not commented on the latest data.

Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world, and is an important carbon store that slows down the pace of global warming.

According to LA Times, ¡°The annual data published by the space research agency Monday confirms the institute¡¯s earlier reports that deforestation was on the rise. The latest data is actually 42 per cent higher than what was previously reported.¡±

In July and August this year, fires in the Amazon region spread at a pace unseen since 2010, before slowing in September.

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Forest fires are often used as a tool to clear deforested land for soy production or pastures by farmers, developers and other stakeholders.

Brazil has been questioned for its lackadaisical approach in controlling deforestation due to fires. Some leaders argued that fires in the Amazon required a global response because of the ecosystem¡¯s critical role in draining heat-trapping carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The Brazilian government denied any wrongdoing and assured that the country is taking every possible step needed to protect the Amazon. It even accused France and Germany of infringing on its sovereignty.

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Bolsonaro sent military to help battle some blazes and banned most legal fires for land-clearing in the Amazon for two months.

Previous governments in Brazil had managed to put a curb on deforestation with intensive action and a system of fines. However, these penalties and restrictions were criticised by Bolsonaro government and eventually, the convictions in environment fines fell.