The Amazon rainforest has deteriorated just a bit more in four years, losing 11,968 sq km of land to clearing from January to July this year alone. Higher by 4 percent as compared to the same period last year, Amazon deforestation has largely been due to illegal logging. There had been efforts to curb the trend but results have still been unsatisfactory. According to Carlos Minc, Brazilian Environment Minister, an increase of 30-40 percent had been expected but the government has neutralized some of the illegal logging that has been flattening the Amazon.
A lot of burning on the ground occurred in the second half of 2007. This could have caused the increase in deforestation. Farmers have been tempted to clear more land as response to the high prices of commodities. Land had been in great demand, especially in late 2007 and early 2008, because cattle and soya were in high demand. The result was clearing of more land by the farmers.
The Amazon rainforest has been pronounced to be in grave ecological danger. The Brazilian government has launched anti-illegal logging campaigns with the use of police operations and movements by the environmental police. One such campaign is the “Arc of Fire.” All eyes are on the deforestation situation in the Amazon, especially that Brazil has stated that it wants zero deforestation.
Via BBC
