Deforestation in Amazon Rainforest higher in Andean countries, WWF says

Over the last ten years, Brazil has made great efforts against the deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest, with great strides in public policies, mechanisms and systems for the protection of the forest. However, deforestation and forest degradation are still at alarming levels in neighboring countries where the biome can also be found, such as Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, according to a document from WWF Brasil.

In the report, released on Monday (Mar 9), the NGO notes that 25 deforestation fronts have been identified in the region, with the rise in forest loss in Andean countries. While Brazil accounted for 81% of the region's deforestation in 2001, in 2012 this rate fell to 44%.

“Thus, the progress made by Brazil concerning the reduction in the deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest were viciously compensated for by the increase in the destruction of the biome in other countries,” the document reads.

WWF highlighted, however, that, in spite of the significant reduction, Brazil still stands atop the world's deforestation list, with the elimination of 4,571 km² in 2012, which rose to 5,891 km² in 2013. “The sign of a resumption in deforestation rates, in 2014, demands even closer attention to the issue,” the study says.

Marco Lentini, coordinator of WWF's Program for the Amazon, mentioned that the problem is still viewed by many as a simple environmental issue. In reality, he believes, the subject is strongly connected with the economy as well as how the land is used, for example.

“Deforestation in the Amazon showed two important peaks: 1995 and 2004. It's taken us about 400 thousand km² since 1988. It's a huge loss for Brazil, since we've seen at least 19% of the forest go,” he said.

Among the recommendations listed in the report, Lentini highlighted: remaining attentive and stimulating the political willingness for fighting against and preventing deforestation; encouraging and promoting integration at different levels; investigating and ascertaining the causes of deforestation with a view to creating well-oriented plans.

WWF Brasil also recommends encouraging legal activities and addressing institutional and normative weaknesses which contribute to impunity; encouraging and intensifying the creation and consolidation of sustainable production chains; and implement and seek improvements for forest monitoring systems.

In the view of André Dias, from the Amazônia Viva Initiative, the document should be seen as an encouragement and an opportunity for other countries where the biome is found to implement and strengthen public policies for curbing deforestation.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira