Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has reached its highest level in 12 years, the Brazilian National Space Research Institute (INPE), which is responsible for monitoring deforestation, said on Monday.
Between August 2019 and July 2020, 11,088 square kilometers of jungle were cut, the largest area since 2008.
This is equivalent to 4340 football pitches per day or three football pitches per minute, and the deforestation rate has increased by 9.5% compared to the previous year.
Amazon forests are also under threat in other countries, including Colombia, where armed groups have evicted foresters from protected areas.
Brazil’s right-wing president, Jairie Bolsonaru, who is pro-mining and agribusiness interests, has eased past restrictions on the exploitation of the Amazon region’s vast natural resources.
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