ARD report on forest fires in Brazil

Large parts of the rainforest in the Pantanal wetlands in Brazil are
in flames. The region has been suffering from extreme drought for too long. The efforts of the fire department to get the fires under control seem almost hopeless. The reason for this is the Bolsonaro government’s austerity measures. The ARD program Weltspiegel shows the dramatic situation on the ground.

Not only fast and effective extinguishing of fires is important for the preservation of the rainforest. Areas that have been burnt down must be reforested and must not be transferred to private ownership for cultivation for palm oil or soy. The actions of Brazil’s current policy so far raise doubts as to whether the efforts for environmental protection and sustainability in the region are being sufficiently supported locally.