ILLEGAL MINING
- Criminals return to Yanomami territory
Machines and aircraft used by prospectors have returned to the indigenous territory nine months after the start of a federal mega-operation. Leaders say the government is not listening to them (Amazônia Real) - Illegal mining spreads across the Xingu region
A new dossier shows that, since 2018, more than 12,700 hectares of illegal mining areas have been opened in the river basin, which extends across the states of Pará and Mato Grosso: 82% of this area lies within protected areas. (ISA) - Mercury smuggling uncovered
A network responsible for the illicit trading in the substance used in gold mining in Brazil uses front companies and false documents. Authorities froze almost 3 billion reais belonging to those under investigation. (Repórter Brasil)
TERRITORIES AT RISK
- Militias threaten communities in Pará
The Big Bend of the Xingu River has the highest rate of violence in the Legal Amazon after being over-run by private security guards, gunmen and feuding criminal factions. (Agência Pública) - Gas project opponents reveal threats
A civil society association says it has been receiving threats after going to court against the operator Eneva over plans for gas exploration in the municipality of Silves, in the state of Amazonas. The company denies involvement. (InfoAmazonia) - To evade inspection, loggers set up mobile sawmills
There is an illegal practice which consists of building small sawmills in the heart of the forest, to make it difficult for the authorities to monitor them. The wood from one of the last remnants of the Amazon biome in the state of Maranhão is processed where the trees are cut down and transported directly to the buyer. (((o))eco)
Illegal trade in timber represents a challenge to environmental agencies. Ibama and ICMBio have been carrying out operations aimed at curbing illegal logging in the Brazilian Amazon region. Photos: ICMBio press release
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
- Manaus: fires came from cattle ranches
The smoke that enshrouded the capital of Amazonas state came largely from fires on cattle ranches close to indigenous lands. (De Olho nos Ruralistas) - Environment agencies excluded from BR-319 planning
The feasibility of the BR-319 highway that will link Manaus to Porto Velho will only be analyzed by representatives of the Ministry of Transport, without the participation of other any bodies. (Folha de S.Paulo)
MORE-THAN-HUMAN
- Amazonian fungi eliminate dengue mosquito larvae
Three parasitic species have proven effective in eradicating the larvae of Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that carries dengue, zika and chikungunya. This discovery could help to fight diseases in a sustainable way (Nexo Jornal)
Fact-checker: Plínio Lopes
Proofreader (Portuguese): Valquíria Della Pozza
Spanish translation: Julieta Sueldo Boedo
English translation: Mark Murray
Photo Editor: Lela Beltrão
Layout and finishing: Érica Saboya
Editors: Malu Delgado (news and content), Viviane Zandonadi (editorial workflow and copy editing), and Talita Bedinelli (coordination)
Director: Eliane Brum
Proofreader (Portuguese): Valquíria Della Pozza
Spanish translation: Julieta Sueldo Boedo
English translation: Mark Murray
Photo Editor: Lela Beltrão
Layout and finishing: Érica Saboya
Editors: Malu Delgado (news and content), Viviane Zandonadi (editorial workflow and copy editing), and Talita Bedinelli (coordination)
Director: Eliane Brum
