Press release - 3 August, 2005
Greenpeace activists yesterday blocked a 135-kilometre road, which invades the National Forest (Flona) of Altamira, a protected area at the margins of the BR-163 highway in the state of Pará created by the Brazilian Government in 1988. The illegal road is used for illegal logging operations and deforestation inside the protected area.
Greenpeace activists block a 135-km illegal road, in the National Forest (Flona) of Altamira, a protected area created by the Brazilian Government in 1988. The road cuts directly through the National Forest and is used for illegal logging operations and deforestation inside the protected area.
The activists blocked the road with a gate and signs saying:
"Area waiting to be protected" and "Amazon: save or delete". The
gate was locked and the key was delivered to the office of the
Brazilian Environmental Agency IBAMA in Novo Progresso. Novo
Progresso is the main logging centre along the BR-163 highway.
The action is Greenpeace's contribution to governance in the
Amazon as it is IBAMA's duty to ensure protection to the National
Forest of Altamira and other conservation units in the Amazon. Last
Sunday (31st July), Greenpeace flew over the area and documented
recently deforested areas and illegal logging activity inside the
protected area.
"This is another example of what is happening inside protected
areas in the Amazon. Conservation units are being illegally
invaded," said Nilo D'Avila, Greenpeace Amazon campaigner. "This is
a protected area of over 712,000 hectares that only exists on the
paper. There are not sufficient people or resources to ensure its
protection. If the Brazilian Government does not adopt concrete
measures immediately to implement protected areas and strengthen
its presence in the Amazon, this region's natural resources will
vanish."
Of the 14 conservation units existing in the area of influence
of the BR-163, 8 have no IBAMA agents to inspect the areas and,
thus, are exposed to criminal actions by loggers, farmers and
grileiros (landgrabbers).
The paving of the BR-163 highway is one of Lula's priorities. In
March, the Brazilian Government launched the "Sustainable BR-163
Plan" aimed to minimize the impacts that the paving of the road
would have on the BR-163 area of influence. The proposed measures
include the creation of protected areas, more inspections, land
ordainment and encouragement of non-predatory activities.
Greenpeace demands that the Brazilian Government must
immediately ensure the effective implementation of measures
proposed in the Sustainable BR-163 Plan and strengthen the
institutions responsible for environmental protection.
"If the natural resources in the area of influence of the Br-163
are being depleted already, imagine what will be left the paving:
nothing," said D'Avila.
Other contacts: Tica Minami, media officer for Greenpeace Amazon Campaign: +55 92 3627 9003 or +55 92 8114 4517
VVPR info: For images, contact:John Novis, Greenpeace Picture Desk: + 331 6 5381 9121