Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon at highest level in 15 years

BUENOS AIRES

Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest is at the highest level in 15 years, Brazil’s space research agency said Thursday.

According to data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), 13,235 square kilometers (5,110 square miles) of deforestation was seen in the world’s largest rainforest between August 2020 and July 2021.

In the August 2019 to July 2020 period, 10,851 square kilometers of deforestation was recorded in the region and 14,286 square kilometers in the same period of 2006.

The deforestation seen in the region in the same period of 2004 was announced as 27,000 square kilometers.

Brazil announced a plan to reduce illegal deforestation by 15% annually by 2024, 40% for 2025 and 2026, and 50% for 2027 and said it aims for zero illegal deforestation by 2028.