Brazil investigates Amazon land-clearing chemicals
Brazilian police launched an operation on Tuesday against a group suspected of using chemicals to clear large areas of the Amazon rainforest and convert the land into commercial pasture, officials said.
The action is linked to alleged damage to 10,180 hectares of native forest in the northern state of Para, India Today reported.
Authorities said police carried out 13 search warrants and imposed three precautionary measures as part of the operation. No arrests were made. Investigators said the suspects were linked to the spraying of chemicals over forest land in the city of Uruara to weaken the vegetation before the trees were cut down.
The cleared land was later converted into pasture for commercial use, according to investigators. It was not immediately clear when the chemicals were applied or when the deforestation took place.
Authorities said the group under investigation was involved in activities ranging from buying chemicals to hiding environmental information. The suspects could face charges including environmental crimes, illegal use of toxic substances, fraud in environmental proceedings and criminal conspiracy.
The Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest, plays a major role in regulating the climate well beyond South America. Scientists have warned that its depletion could speed up global warming and affect agriculture as far away as the US Midwest and parts of Europe.