Lula’s Amazon pledge looks distant as Brazil battles deforestation

URUARA, Brazil – Brazil’s environmental enforcement agents set out in January on their first mission this year to combat illegal deforestation, with renewed energy after the election of a president who has promised to stop surging Amazon rainforest destruction.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who took office Jan. 1, has vowed to end destruction of the world’s largest rainforest but it may take years to show major progress, as understaffed agencies face a bureaucratic battle to hire staff and a violent one against criminals emboldened by his predecessor.

An agent of the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources inspects a tree extracted from the Amazon rainforest, in a sawmill during an operation to combat deforestation, in Placas, Para State, Brazil January 20, 2023. REUTERS/Ueslei MarcelinoBrazil’s most powerful weapon against deforestation in the short run is Ibama, which slaps fines on offenders, bans farming in deforested areas and destroys expensive equipment used in illegal logging.

Agostinho said the government will open a call for new Ibama hires by early April, but it is likely to then take 10 months before new agents are in the field, due to rules about public-sector hiring and training for such dangerous missions. Bolsonaro had called for more farming and mining on protected lands, arguing that it would lift the Amazon region out of poverty. A lawyer for Bolsonaro, who is currently residing in Florida, did not respond to request for comment.

On a 2021 mission in Rondonia state, an informant forwarded Lima messages from a local chat group, referring to an Ibama agent of his description raiding sawmills. While other agents and environmental officials expressed similar fears, Agostinho said he did not expect rising violence but rather a “pacification” of criminal elements.Ultimately, Lima and several other Ibama agents told Reuters, the agency needs far more people and equipment to control deforestation, rather than merely displace it.

Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

President Marcos urges diplomatic community to back PH growth planMANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday urged members of the diplomatic community to work with his administration in achieving its Philippine Development DYGalvezINQ MUKHA MONG ULOL NA MAGNANAKAW.
Source: inquirerdotnet - 🏆 3. / 86 Read more »

President names Gatchalian as new DSWD headPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian as the new head of the Department of Social Welfare 🤮🤮🤮
Source: MlaStandard - 🏆 20. / 55 Read more »

US charges four more in assassination of Haitian presidentFour men were transferred from Haiti to the United States Tuesday to face criminal charges in the July 7, 2021, assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, the US Justice Department announced.
Source: manilabulletin - 🏆 25. / 51 Read more »

New DBP president vows to bankroll infrastructure buildingThe newly installed president of DBP intends to broaden the government financial institution’s role in infrastructure financing, vowing to help strengthen this key economic sector to sustain the country’s growth momentum. | AldenMonzonINQ /PDI
Source: inquirerdotnet - 🏆 3. / 86 Read more »

Cyprus picks new president amid economic doubt and ethnic split | Menelaos Hadjicostis / The Associated PressNICOSIA, Cyprus—Cypriots are voting Sunday for a new president who they’ll expect to decisively steer the small island nation through shifting geopolitical sands and uncertain economic times that have become people’s overriding concern, eclipsing stalemated efforts to remedy the country’s ethnic division. The monthslong campaign has been a lackluster affair,…
Source: BusinessMirror - 🏆 19. / 59 Read more »

President creates Water Mgt. Office to reduce reliance on groundwaterPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday approved the creation of a Water Resource Management Office (WRMO) to manage the country’s
Source: MlaStandard - 🏆 20. / 55 Read more »