Illegal Deforestation in Brazil Reaches 7,715㎢ from January to August This Year... Largest in 10 Years

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Je-hoon] The area of tropical rainforest lost due to illegal logging in the Brazilian Amazon from January to August this year has increased to the largest scale in 10 years.

According to the Brazilian non-profit organization (NGO) Institute of Man, Environment, and Amazon (Imazon) on the 20th (local time), the area of Amazon tropical rainforest destroyed by illegal logging from January to August was 7,715 km², a 48% increase compared to the same period last year.

The institute reported that the area of rainforest destroyed in August alone was 1,606 km², also marking the highest rate in 10 years, and the destruction in March, April, May, and July also set new 10-year records.

Researcher Antonio Fonseca emphasized, "To prevent this year from ending with the largest deforestation record in 10 years, more effective measures must be urgently adopted."