Amazon deforestation up 29% in 2013 – Brazil

BRASÍLIA, Brazil – Deforestation in the Amazon rose 29% between August 2012 and July of last year to 5,891 square kilometers (2,275 square miles), Brazilian officials said Wednesday, September 10, posting an amended figure.

Last year, authorities indicated a slightly lower figure of 5,843 square kilometers for a 28% rise.

That reversed several years of decline despite being the second lowest annual increase since records began in 1988.

The official Institute of Special Investigations (INPE) unveiled the amended figure showing Para state in the north and the central western state of Mato Grosso as the worst affected areas.

The worst year on record was 2004, with 27,000 square kilometers of forest destroyed.

Since then, Brazil has cut the annual rate by 79%, according to the INPE.

Deforestation in the Amazon River basin region, the world’s largest rainforest, fell to a low of 4,571 square kilometers (1,765 square miles) in 2011/2012.

The rise across 2012/13 coincided with the passing of a reform of Brazil’s forestry code reducing the amount of forestry cover landowners are required to maintain, infuriating environmentalists.

The INPE is set to publish the August 2013-July 2014 data by year’s end.

First indications based on monthly satellite observations through to July of this year are that deforestation increased by 9.8% for a second straight year. – Rappler.com