The Threats
Given the large scale logging and annual forest fires that have
taken place in the Amazon over the last 30 years, it is perhaps
surprising that 85 percent of the original tropical rainforest
remains intact. But last year, almost 20,000 square kilometres
were lost to illegal logging, fires, mining and clearing for agriculture.
One of the greatest dangers to the Amazon rainforest is illegal
and destructive logging.
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Fuelled by the demand for cheap supplies of mahogany and
other tropical timbers both at home and abroad, the illegal
timber trade in Brazil represents a major factor in forest
degradation. The Brazilian government itself estimates that
80 percent of all timber produced in the Amazon is illegal
in some way. Of all timber logged, as much as 70 percent is
wasted in the mills. |
But logging is only the beginning. By building roads into the
region, the logging industry opens the door to further exploitation
through clearing for agriculture, hunting, fuel wood gathering
and mining.
There has been very little in the way of increased protection
for the Brazilian Amazon in the past ten years and in January
the government announced a US$40 billion dollar plan to convert
much of the forest into highways, logging concessions and an array
of other industrial developments.
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Scientists predict that this plan, called "Avança
Brasil" (Advance Brazil), will lead to the damage or
loss of between 33 and 42 percent of Brazil's Amazon rainforest.
Even if the Brazilian government and industry only manage
to raise a portion of the funds needed for this project,
the proposals give an indication of government attitudes
towards this threatened ancient forest and the people and
creatures for whom it is home.
As logging and other developments move further and further
into remaining forests, many of the indigenous people's
culture and livelihoods are becoming threatened. Indeed,
many cultures and plant and animal species may be lost.
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Although Brazilian law provides for the complete protection of
indigenous territories, only half of the indigenous lands in Brazil
have been demarcated. One group of Indians, the Deni, have been
waiting almost 20 years to have their land demarcated.
Their land is now being threatened by commercial logging, so
the Deni have taken over control of the
demarcation process. In September and October the Deni will
undertake the physical demarcation of their territory. But many
other indigenous lands will remain under threat.
Find out what solutions are already
helping protect areas of the Brazilian Amazon.
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Throughout the world, ancient
forests are in crisis. Many of the plants, animals
and human cultures that live in these forests are under
threat. But the news is not all bad. If world governments
choose now to SAVE the ancient forests, there is a last
chance to protect these forests and the life they support.
more>
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