The current legislature of the National Congress has already secured its place in the annals as the most anti-environmentalist in Brazilian History. But the sad title does not lessen the “noble” parliamentarians’ hunger for devastation, which seems to increase as Congress approaches its mid-year recess. Thus, in yet another blow against environmental protection, the Senate approved on Wednesday (15/7) a bill that reduces the Jamanxim National Forest (FLONA) in Pará by 40%.
Senate reduces Jamanxim Forest and paves the way for more deforestation in Pará
The current legislature of the National Congress has already secured its place in the annals as the most anti-environmentalist in Brazilian History. But the sad title does not lessen the “noble” parliamentarians’ hunger...
Authored by deputy Ismael Bulhões Jr. (MDB/AL), PL nº 2,486/2026 is part of the “herd” of anti-environmental projects approved by the Chamber in May, during the infamous “Agro Week”. In the Senate, an urgent request proposed by the rapporteur, senator Jader Barbalho (MDB/PA) guaranteed accelerated processing in the house, with a direct vote in the plenary, without going through the thematic committees. The approval was made symbolically, in a few minutes, without a nominal vote count.
The proposal removes 486 thousand hectares from Jamanxim, which become an Environmental Protection Area (APA). An APA is much less restrictive than a FLONA, allowing productive activities, with management plans.
Defenders justify that the project will reduce “legal uncertainty” in the region. Translation: it will facilitate the land regularization of illegal properties within the current forest territory. To make matters worse, the PL also has a device that allows “mining activities” (read mining) to be carried out within the new APA.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) criticized the changes. “The change expands the possibilities of use and economic exploitation of the area, including activities incompatible with a FLONA, and may intensify pressures related to deforestation, the grabbing of public lands, illegal logging and the loss of native vegetation in the Amazon”, highlighted the ministry.
Folha recalls that the project is part of a broader mobilization of parliamentarians, led by the ruralist caucus, in favor of topics that interest agribusiness. Among them, a project that allows the Ministry of Agriculture to veto the classification of species at risk of extinction.
"Congress has focused, in recent months, on making more flexible, or even eliminating, environmentally protected areas. Today's product was the Jamanxim National Forest, in Pará, which will be reduced to benefit land grabbing and mining. A deal without due debate, which has frequently occurred on the anti-environmental agenda", laments Suely Araújo, coordinator of Public Policies at the Climate Observatory, in O Globo.
The bill now goes to the Palácio do Planalto, where President Lula will be able to sanction or veto it, in full or in part. Considering past votes, even if there is a veto, it is very likely that the Legislature will be able to overturn it. In any case, due to the electoral calendar, it is very likely that the issue will only be assessed after the elections.
Bom Dia Brasil, Estadão, g1, Pará Terra Boa and VEJA, among others, also shared the news.
Source: ClimaInfo
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