A WELCOME CHANGE IN THE AMAZON

An operation to drive out illicit miners from the Brazilian Amazon has begun. This is an encouraging sign that President Lula is keeping his promise to defend the rainforest and its Indigenous residents.

The area along the Uraricoera river, which is home to Yanonmami tribal lands, has been used by mining mafias to traffic tin and gold from illegal excavations since the 1970s. The presidency of right-wing Jair Bolsonaro saw an influx of 25,000 miners, along with bloodshed and disease among the Yanonmami people but government troops have now set up camp to protect the area.

Brazil’s environmental protection agency, Ibama, with support from the national guard, has destroyed aircraft, weapons, boats and heavy plant machinery used by illegal mining crews. Some miners were reported to be quitting the region ahead of the offensive.

Readers may be surprised to learn that Britain has temperate rainforests, but fragments of these habitats still exist along the Atlantic coast, and a project has been launched to expand them. The Wildlife Trusts, a conservation charity, has launched a 100-year project to protect and expand Britain’s temperate rainforests, thanks to a £38 million donation from the insurance company Aviva.

Rainforests grew all along Britain’s Atlantic coast hundreds of years ago, but now cover less than 1% of the land. They are vital carbon sinks, biodiversity hotspots, and natural wonders. “These woods are magical and much loved by those who visit and live near them,” said Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trust. “We’re looking forward to working with communities to bring back rainforests along the Atlantic coast.”