Protecting the world’s most biodiverse rainforest from deforestation
Located near the Amazon’s so-called ‘Arc of Deforestation’, Lábrea in Amazonas State suffers from the fourth highest deforestation rate in Brazil. With the opening of new roads, the lush forest is being turned into open fields for cattle even faster than before. This makes the area a priority for forest conservation worldwide. As well as contributing to climate breakdown and harming biodiversity, razing the forest for agriculture and cattle-rearing has led to severe social issues. Land-grabbing contributes to the expulsion of traditional communities of wild-harvesting families (locally called extrativistas) from the region.
on forest management and fire brigades
to ensure activities such as patrolling and forest management
on average annually
of Amazon forests protected from deforestation
A group of 15 neighbouring rural land-owners have come together to tackle the vicious cycle of clearing the forest for pastures that quickly become depleted and lead to more forest being cut down. They have established this certified REDD+ project, so instead of cutting down trees, communities receive payments for keeping their forest standing.
Protecting the Amazon rainforest is of global and local importance. Not only is it the biggest natural carbon sink on the planet and a home to 10% of the world’s species, but research shows that the Amazon plays a role in regulating global rainfall and oxygen flows. By preventing deforestation, the project avoids carbon being released into the atmosphere and protects the habitat of over 300 vertebrate species. The project also carries out workshops and training on preventing wildfires, sustainable forest management and healthy living to help protect the forest and alleviate social issues.
