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Watch: Drone footage reveals the extent of deforestation in the Amazon for a new highway
A new four-lane highway is under construction, cutting through tens of thousands of acres of protected Amazon rainforest in preparation for the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil.
The intention behind this project is to facilitate traffic flow to Belém, which is expected to host over 50,000 attendees, including global leaders, during the conference in November.
While state officials promote the highway as a “sustainable” initiative, it has ignited protests among local residents and conservation groups, who are distressed about the significant environmental implications.
The Amazon rainforest is essential for global carbon absorption and maintaining biodiversity, and many argue that this deforestation runs counter to the goals of a climate summit aimed at addressing environmental issues.
As construction progresses along the partially completed roadway, towering trees of the rainforest serve as a stark reminder of the area’s former lush landscape. Clear-cutting has left piles of logs across an expanse that stretches more than 13 kilometers (about 8 miles) toward Belém.
Heavy machinery is currently dismantling the rich forest floor, covering wetlands to establish the roadway that passes through a designated protected area.
Claudio Verequete, a local resident situated just 200 meters from the construction site, reflects on the loss of his income from harvesting açaí berries from trees that previously thrived in the area. He states, “Everything was destroyed,” as he gestures toward the clearing.
“Our harvest has already been cut down. We no longer have that income to support our family,” he adds, lamenting the absence of government compensation and relying instead on personal savings to make ends meet.
Verequete expresses concern that the paved road will open the door to further deforestation as businesses seek to capitalize on more accessible land. “Our fear is that one day someone will come and say: ‘Here’s some money. We need this area to build a gas station, or a warehouse.’ And then we’ll have to leave,” he worries.
Living between the forest and the road, he notes that his community, which won’t have direct access to the highway, will not benefit from its construction. “For us who live on the side of the highway, there will be no benefits. There will be benefits for the trucks that will pass through,” he asserts, highlighting the lack of access to health care in Belém.
The roadway’s development leaves two sections of protected forest isolated, raising alarms among scientists who fear it may disrupt local wildlife movement and fragment the ecosystem.
Professor Silvia Sardinha, a wildlife veterinarian and researcher, emphasizes the consequences of deforestation for rehabilitation efforts. “From the moment of deforestation, there is a loss,” she explains, noting that the ability to release healed animals back into their natural habitat will be compromised. “Land animals will no longer be able to cross to the other side too, reducing the areas where they can live and breed,” she added.
The federal government, along with Brazil’s president and environment minister, anticipates that this will be a landmark summit as it is described as “a COP in the Amazon, not a COP about the Amazon.” Leaders hope to spotlight the Amazon’s needs and showcase governmental efforts toward its conservation.
Despite high-level discussions planned for the summit, Professor Sardinha is skeptical about the genuine inclusion of local voices, arguing that the needs and opinions of Amazon residents are being overlooked.
The concept of the Avenida Liberdade highway had been proposed by the state government of Pará as early as 2012 but faced repeated delays due to environmental concerns. Recently, however, the project, along with several other infrastructure initiatives, has been revived to prepare Belém for the COP30 summit.
Adler Silveira, the state’s infrastructure secretary, has designated this highway as a key project among 30 aimed at modernizing the city for the anticipated influx of visitors. He claims it will be a “sustainable highway” that will include wildlife crossings, bike lanes, and solar lighting, along with plans for new hotels and port redevelopments to accommodate cruise ships.
The Brazilian government is investing over $81 million into enhancing airport capacity to handle “seven to 14 million passengers,” alongside the development of a new 500,000 square meters city park, Parque da Cidade, featuring green areas and community facilities.
In Belém’s open-air Ver-o-Peso market, some business owners see potential in this development for boosting local economies. Dalci Cardoso da Silva, who sells leather footwear, notes, “The city as a whole is being improved… It means I can sell more and earn more.”
João Alexandre Trindade da Silva, who offers Amazonian herbal remedies, acknowledges the drawbacks of construction but expresses optimism for the future economic impacts. “We hope the discussions aren’t just on paper and become real actions… so that the planet can breathe a little better,” he reflects, sharing a sentiment that likely resonates with attending leaders at COP30.
However, growing scrutiny surrounds the environmental cost of flying thousands of delegates worldwide and the infrastructure required to host such a large gathering, raising questions about the summit’s true commitment to combating climate change.
Source
www.bbc.com