In a recent research project led by Brazilian scientists and published in Scientific Reports, a haunting truth has come to light. Deforestation in Indigenous Territories (ITs) in the Brazilian Amazon has resulted in the emission of a staggering 96 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) between 2013 and 2021. This alarming revelation not only disturbs the balance of the forest as a carbon sink but also poses significant threats to the survival of Indigenous communities.
The study examined 232 ITs and discovered an average deforestation rate of 35 square kilometers (km²) annually, with a shocking 129% increase during the analyzed period. The intensity of destruction has escalated even further in the last three years, accounting for 59% of the total deforestation. These distressing numbers signal a grave intensification of deforestation in the region.
What adds to the concern is the observation that deforested areas are moving farther away from the borders of the ITs. Over the course of the research, the average distance increased by 30%, signaling a growing infringement on environmentally protected regions. The impact of deforestation in these territories is amplified due to their designated status, resulting in severe consequences for both nature and the Indigenous communities that reside within them. The incursion of wildcat miners has already claimed the lives of many Yanomami individuals, further emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue.
Indigenous Territories, once considered effective models for forest conservation, are encountering a new wave of threats primarily from illegal alluvial panning and mining activities. The rise in deforestation can be attributed, in part, to setbacks such as the reversal of government policies regarding the rights of Indigenous communities. This worrisome trend puts the crucial role of the Amazon as a carbon store at risk. Tropical forests, like the Amazon, play a vital role in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change by acting as carbon sinks. However, extensive logging and burning convert these areas into significant sources of carbon emissions. Thus, preserving these Indigenous Territories becomes imperative to promoting conservation efforts and combating deforestation.
Guilherme Mataveli, a co-author of the research article, highlights the fundamental role of ITs in helping Brazil achieve its environmental targets and mitigate the impact of climate change. Enforcing laws to safeguard the standing forests and rivers in these territories is essential. Mataveli emphasizes that ITs must continue to act as protective force fields for the environment and the traditional communities they house.
Another study conducted by the same group of scientists, published in Remote Sensing, sheds light on the alarming expansion of wildcat mining activities in ITs within the Legal Amazon region. This area, spanning nine Brazilian states and designated for environmental protection and developmental purposes by federal law, has witnessed a staggering 1,217% increase in mining activities from 1985 to 2020. The majority of this mining, accounting for 95%, has occurred in the Kayapó, Munduruku, and Yanomami ITs in Pará and Roraima states.
Examining the ITs, the recent study reveals that deforestation has increased in 42% of them, with a particularly significant rise in 20 of these territories. For instance, the Arara IT in Pará experienced a deforestation rate of 0.02 km² per year, while the Apyterewa IT, also in Pará, faced a rate of 8.58 km² per year. However, deforestation decreased in 11% of the ITs analyzed, with five of them showing significant reductions. Notably, the Alto Turiaçu IT in Maranhão state, home to approximately 1,500 members of the Awa Guajá, Ka’apor, and Tembé communities, achieved positive results in combating deforestation. This success can be attributed to the initiatives taken by the Indigenous communities themselves, such as community groups patrolling the area as forest guardians.
The research team comprised multidisciplinary experts, including anthropologists Maycon Melo from CEUMA University and Bárbara Maisonnave Arisi from the Free University of Amsterdam. Their perspectives provided valuable insights into the threats faced by Indigenous Territories and the necessity of urgent action.
The escalating deforestation and carbon emissions in Indigenous Territories in the Brazilian Amazon demand immediate action. Preserving these territories is not only crucial for protecting the environment and combating climate change but also for safeguarding the survival and well-being of Indigenous communities. The research article concludes with several vital policy recommendations. Strengthening enforcement authorities, repealing laws contributing to environmental degradation, creating buffer zones between ITs and mining areas, supporting sustainable land-use initiatives, increasing investment in remote sensing monitoring systems, canceling Rural Environmental Registrations inside ITs, and providing greater funding and staffing for FUNAI, the federal agency responsible for protecting the rights of Indigenous communities are some of the key measures that need to be implemented promptly. These recommendations are imperative to secure the future of the Amazon rainforest and the Indigenous inhabitants who call it home.
The research project led by Brazilian scientists has unraveled the devastating impact of deforestation in Indigenous Territories of the Brazilian Amazon. The alarming release of carbon dioxide, the increasing distance of deforested areas from IT borders, and the expanding mining activities are only a few facets of this environmental crisis. The urgent need for action is clear – to protect the environment, combat climate change, and ensure the well-being of Indigenous communities. The time to act is now, to secure the future of the Amazon rainforest and the Indigenous tribes that have been its caretakers for generations.
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