Efforts to minimize deforestation in the largest rainforest in the world proved to be fruitful as deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell by 66 percent in August which is the lowest mark for the month since 2018. Environment Minister Marina Silva said on Tuesday that it is a significant mark for its environmental policy as destruction often spikes this time of year.Before Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva became the president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro was the president who as an ally of the powerful agribusiness industry lashed environmental protection efforts and caused wide-scale deforestation of the Amazon.Comparing Amazon in August 2022 and August 2023According to the satellite monitored by Brazils space research institute, INPE, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon wiped out 1,661 square kilometers in August 2022, the last year of far-right Jair Bolsonaros term.In the first eight months of the year, INPEs figures showed, deforestation has fallen a cumulative 48% from the same period of 2022 as 563 square km (217.38 square miles) of rainforest were cleared in the month which is a 66.1% drop from the same period a year ago.Earlier President Lula celebrated the decline, saying on social media that it is a “result of the great work of the Environment Ministry and the federal government” since he had promised to end deforestation in the region by 2030.“Great news on Amazon Day. The 70% reduction in deforestation in August is the result of the great work of the Environment Ministry and the federal government. Today, we will have important government announcements to follow our agenda of zero deforestation by 2030,” Lula said on social network X,“The Amazon is in a hurry. Hurry to survive the devastation caused by those few people who dont see the future. The Amazon is in a hurry to stay alive. In staying healthy to face the climate changes that have already started to happen. The rush to keep guaranteeing rain for almost all of South America, and with it our agriculture. The Amazonian people are also in a hurry,” he added on a post shared on his X handle. A Amazônia tem pressa. Pressa de sobreviver à devastação causada por aquelas poucas pessoas que não enxergam o futuro. A Amazônia tem pressa em se manter viva. Em seguir saudável para enfrentar as mudanças climáticas que já começaram a acontecer. Pressa de seguir garantindo as…— Lula (@LulaOficial) September 5, 2023Recognition of indigenous region of Amazon The recognition of the two Indigenous reservations grants them legal protection against invasions by illegal loggers, gold miners, and cattle ranchers.“If there is no future for the Amazon and its people, there will be no future for the planet either,” Lula said in his announcement of the two new reserves.According to researchers, Indigenous reserves, considered bulwarks are the key to Lulas pledge to fight deforestation by 2030. Lula who was in power from 2003 to 2010, returned to office in January vowing to protect the threatened Amazon, whose carbon-absorbing trees are a vital buffer against global warming.Six new Indigenous territories were also recognised by the Brazilian government in April this year, authorizing Indigenous people to occupy the land and have exclusive use of its resources.Another six could be demarcated by the end of the year, the government said Tuesday.Indigenous reserves occupy 13.75 percent of Brazils territory, with most of them staying in the Amazon.
