The Amazon rainforest is of great importance for environmental stability not only in Brazil, but throughout the world. In addition to the importance of its fauna, which houses an enormous number of species, the forest is also important for its immense extension of green area, which allows it to contribute to the quality of the air and the maintenance of good climatic conditions on the planet.
Due to the growing deforestation in the region, all this ecological potential is seriously impaired, which makes people of different nationalities concerned with the measures intended by the Brazilian Federal Government in relation to the preservation of the Amazon.
Much of what will be carried out in the area during the year 2020 is not yet defined, but several projects that have already been confirmed help to understand what the government plan for the forest is with regard to its conservation and protection.
The main factors that threaten the Amazon forest today are related to illegal extraction activities and the reduction of preservation units. In order to identify what are the measures intended by the Brazilian government for the protection of the Amazon or for the reduction of the environmental impact of some projects, let us look at the position of government officials regarding these risk factors.
The execution of infrastructure works and the reduction of protected areas
Part of the federal plans for the Amazon in 2020 is focused on the execution of infrastructure works. According to information published in July on the website of the Government of the State of Amazonas, 40 projects of this management were approved by the Federal Government in its first phase of analysis. Among the 10 prioritized projects, is the conclusion of BR-319 road.
Regarding the highway construction project, the deputy governor and chief secretary of the Civil House, Carlos Almeida, confirms the interest in meeting all the necessary environmental conditions. According to him, the project aims to improve the economic alternatives of the state through sustainable actions.
The full operation of BR-319 will promote, according to the vice-governor, ease to attract investments and develop the potential of the place, always in harmony with the forest. In addition, Eduardo Tavieira, State Secretary for the Environment, points out that the highway already has conservation units along its route, nine of which are state and 11 federal. However, it is still necessary to invest in factors such as updating the management plans for each of these units.
Despite the government’s claims of fidelity to environmental protection values, infrastructure projects threaten to reduce a significant amount of conservation areas. The reduction is intended by current President Jair Bolsonaro in order to avoid legal problems during the implementation of projects such as:
- railways,
- federal roads,
- ports,
- and airports.
In all, 67 units will be affected by the bill expected for 2020.
Delays in revising the forest code and increasing illegal extraction of natural goods
This year, the Federal Government proposed to review conservation units present in the Amazon. This period of discussion on the revision of the Forest Code contributed to the advancement of illegal and predatory activities in the region.
The intensification of criminal action by loggers, grileiros and prospectors further problematizes the forest situation. The need to review inadequate preservation methodologies makes sense, since the large extent of protected areas in Brazil does not even have an adequate number of employees to monitor them. On the other hand, the Government’s delay in presenting its proposals is not only a delay in relation to the urgency of the environmental issue, but also offers other damages.
The discussion of the review generates a reduction in preservation activities. Thus, aware of the absence of inspectors in the field, squatters find no obstacles to their illegal activities. This is one of the main factors currently responsible for the constant growth of deforested areas.
While the Minister of the Environment announces that the reason for the review of federal conservation units is due to the fact that the regions do not have adequate technical criteria, the Ministry of Infrastructure shows its interest in the reduction of several units. Among the areas considered by the ministry to be subject to reduction, 17 belong to the Amazon rainforest.
Importance of supporting environmental preservation through non-governmental institutions
In view of all these actions that are planned for the year 2020, it becomes evident the need to invest efforts in the preservation of the Amazon forest through other resources than the government. Despite the enormous importance of monitoring Federal Government projects, making sure that they do not prioritize economic development factors to the detriment of urgent environmental guidelines, there is a need for increasing adherence to the actions of organizations that, non-profit, work focused solely on preservation and reversing the damage caused to it.
Without being able to count on government support, several initiatives with the potential to preserve and develop the Amazon run the risk of not being implemented. Specialized entities have all the knowledge and planning necessary to combine economic development principles with environmental preservation actions, contributing to Brazil’s growth not being promoted at the cost of sacrificing the country’s greatest ecological wealth. While the focus of the Government’s work is not aligned with environmental guidelines, which should be a priority, the only direct source of action in favor of the environment is the activity of these institutions. It is for this reason that making donations and other forms of support directed to non-governmental organizations proves to be one of the most efficient current alternatives for solving the problems faced by the Amazon.