ALERT! Brazil Approves Deforestation of Important Amazon Reserve
TAKE ACTION: The strength and permanence of protected status for ancient rainforests under Brazilian law is at stake
http://www.rainforestportal.org/alerts/send.asp?id=brazil_reserve
The State Government of Mato Grosso, Brazil, has voted to drastically reduce one of the Amazon's most biodiverse reserves. What is at stake is the strength and permanence of protected status for ancient rainforests under Brazilian law. The Cristalino State Park is a world-renowned ecotourism destination, whose 184,000 hectares are home to over 550 species of birds, and protects endangered species like the white-whiskered spider monkey. Some 27,000 hectares of its forest will now lose protected status; becoming vulnerable to logging, cattle ranching and agribusiness. State Governor Blairo Maggi initially vetoed the reduction of the park on the grounds that it would "be seen as endorsing illegal occupancy and deforestation of public lands", and that it would suggest Brazilian environmental law can be flouted. The veto was short-lived, however, as members of the Mato Grosso House of Representatives immediately overturned it. Mato Grosso has suffered the highest rate of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon and yet it looks like the State Government is manipulating this particular situation for political gain. Please contact key players in Brazil's Federal and State governments, and let them know that removal of protected status so easily from preserved Amazonian ancient rainforests is simply unacceptable.
Comments
I agree that deforestation in the Amazon reserve is just plain madness. It is one of the best things we have on Earth and I don't understand why the government will allow it.
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Posted by: Drake Montgomery | January 31, 2007 9:35 AM
If the forest will be clearcut because of profit,you are the worst economic in the world.
Posted by: mattias madunic | February 1, 2007 2:51 AM
omg i carnt belive people r cuttin down da rain forest
Posted by: kryssie | February 1, 2007 8:40 AM
I think that the goverment should make more laws on weather or not theycan cut down the rainforest.
Posted by: Malcolm w | February 8, 2007 12:18 PM
I think Brazil is not smart for doing that.All the animals and plants will die . People of the rainforest will die . Every one will regret it.
Posted by: Shannon C. | February 8, 2007 12:20 PM
There is more than sufficient evidence that continuing these types of desastrous deforestation efforts is dead wrong. Never late than never to seriously rethink and realized that we belong to the earth, not the other way around-- as Chief Seatle once said.
Posted by: Dr. Gabriela Melano | February 11, 2007 1:39 PM
A blatant example ecological suicide!
Posted by: Ross Roberts | February 15, 2007 10:31 PM
It is a shame that the governor's veto was overturned. Is there legal recourse to stop this devastation? The planet needs these rainforests!
Posted by: Minna Snow | February 18, 2007 7:36 PM
So much for protecting our land... is there a society that protects land in Brazil like Open Spaces?
Posted by: Shay | February 26, 2007 5:03 PM
It's sad that nothing is held sacred in the Amazon. Everything is EXPENDABLE. When is this madness going to end.
Posted by: wayne | March 5, 2007 5:52 AM
What is the worst part is that this political gain will hurt more than just the wildlife, aquatic life, and people. It will effect everyone. I am not sure how much people know, but the Amazon rainforest is home to over 40% of our wildlife and insect population. You start destroying this and you can expect a massive biodiversity shift. Not only will they only gain political and financial gain, but in the long run extinction of the organisms and trees could cause a massive shift in the air we breathe right now. I wish there was a way to preserve the rainforest by a world order. Not just a state. I think the world should have a say in what happens with our rainforests, not the state or country it is in. We need to rainforest to help oriduce the oxygen we breathe right now. With all the deforestation and slash and burning techniques, it is only a matter of time before we cause ourselves an early grave. People always want more, never thinking ahead fo the future except their own. What about our grand children? or their grand children? Just a thought.
Posted by: Elizabeh | May 13, 2007 9:59 PM