Amendment to Peru law raises fears of Amazon rainforest destruction

Fake documents, real deforestation drive global trade in illegal Amazon timber

“Everyone does it.” That’s how the representative of a sawmill described the practice of selling fake documents to illegal timber from the Brazilian Amazon as legitimate, a fraud known as timber laundering. The testimony was collected by a team from the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), a U.S.-based organization that fights environmental crime, during investigations into Brazil’s illegal logging practices.  With support from the Netherla…

A Law Meant to Protect the Peruvian Amazon Is Unwound

An amendment to a Peruvian law has shaken environmentalists who warn it may accelerate Amazon deforestation in the name of economic progress, with one critic calling it "gravely concerning." The AP reports the change to the Forestry and Wildlife Law allows landowners and companies to convert forested lands without state...

Amendment to Peru Law Raises Fears of Amazon Rainforest Destruction

Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. A recent amendment to Peru's Forestry and Wildlife Law is drawing fierce backlash from environmental groups and Indigenous groups that warn it could accelerate deforestation in the Amazon rainforest under the guise of economic development. World News | Amendment to Peru Law Raises Fears of Amazon Rainforest Destruction.

Amendment to Peru law raises fears of Amazon rainforest destruction

A recent amendment to Peru’s Forestry and Wildlife Law has sparked intense backlash from environmental groups and Indigenous organizations.

The Congress of the Republic of Peru constitutionally approved a series of amendments to Legislative Decree 1338, which created the National Registry of Mobile Terminal Equipment for Security (Renteseg), through which it granted a number of additional powers to the Supervisory Body for Private Investment in Telecommunications (Osiptel) associated with the blocking of cell phones linked to crimes.

Federal Congressman Ivan Valente (PSOL-SP) will present, on Wednesday the 16th, a bill prohibiting the exploration of oil and gas in the Amazon. The proposal provides for a moratorium on existing projects and the recovery of areas already affected by these activities. The initiative aims to promote a debate among the allies of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Parliament, since oil exploration in the Amazon creates divisions in the PT gover…