Senate approves proposal that reduces forests in Pará by almost 40% and makes environmental fines more difficult

The Jamanxim National Forest has an area of ??1,302,000 hectares, according to data from the Chico Mendes Institute (ICMBio). The project reduces this area to 814 thousand hectares, a decrease of 37.39%, and transforms the territory that left the National Forest into an APA. For government officials, this recategorization makes environmental protection in the Amazon more flexible and opens up risks to legalizing irregular occupations, encouraging land grabbing, illegal mining and deforestation. Jamanxim National Forest Reproduction Main points of the approved project The proposal envisages: Reduction of the Jamanxim National Forest: The project changes the limits of the Jamanxim Flona, ??created in 2006, reducing its area to approximately 814.6 thousand hectares. Creation of an Environmental Protection Area (APA): The area removed from Flona becomes part of the new Jamanxim Environmental Protection Area, with around 486.4 thousand hectares, a decrease of 37.39%. Declared objective of the APA: The text states that the APA will have the purpose of disciplining the occupation of the region and encouraging activities considered sustainable. Land regularization of occupations prior to 2006: The project allows the regularization of occupations within the APA as long as they are prior to the creation of Flona and considered “tame and peaceful”. Permission for agricultural activities: The text allows agricultural use within the APA, with a forest conversion limit. “The conversion of the forest for agricultural use in a percentage above twenty percent of the possession or property is prohibited” (art. 4, §3) Provision for environmental regularization: Owners and squatters in the APA will have to regularize environmental liabilities in accordance with the legislation. Authorization for mining activities: The project provides for the possibility of mining within Flona and APA, as long as it is provided for in the management plans. Expropriation of properties within the remaining Flona: The text declares private rural properties that remain within the Flona to be of public utility. Possibility of resettling occupants: The project envisages relocating occupants to Union or Incra lands in other areas of the Legal Amazon. Temporary maintenance of economic activities: As long as there is no definitive resettlement, the occupants will be able to continue carrying out economic activities. Condition against illegal deforestation: The text establishes that domain titles may be canceled in the event of illegal deforestation. Revocation of the original Flona decree: The project revokes the presidential decree that created the Jamanxim National Forest in 2006. PL foresees a reduction of almost 40% of national forest in Pará. Arte/g1