Categories: World

Big increase recorded in Amazon fires

Official figures from Brazil have shown a big increase in the number of fires in the Amazon region in July compared with the same month last year, it was reported on Sunday.

Satellite images compiled by Brazil's National Space Agency revealed on Saturday that there were 6,803 – a rise of 28 per cent, the <em>BBC</em> reported. The latest figures raise concerns about a repeat of the huge wildfires that shocked the world in August and September last year.

President Jair Bolsonaro has encouraged agricultural and mining activities in the Amazon but under pressure from international investors in early July his government banned starting fires in the region.

Bolsonaro has criticised Brazil's environmental enforcement agency, Ibama, for what he describes as excessive fines, and his first year in office saw a sharp drop in financial penalties being imposed for environmental violations..

IANS

Recent Posts

US: Protesters drape huge Palestinian flag at venue of White House Correspondents’ Dinner amid growing Gaza outrage

Amid the disquiet in Israel over the rising tide of anti-Semitic protests in the US,…

21 hours ago

Indian Air Force, Navy fighter aircraft fleets get Rampage missile boost

In a major boost for firepower of its fighter aircraft fleet, the Indian Air Force…

2 days ago

Egyptian delegation arrives in Israel to take forward ceasefire, hostage talks amid war

Amid deadlock on ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel, an Egyptian delegation has arrived in…

2 days ago

World Sindhi Congress highlights plight of Sindhi Hindus at International Religious Freedom Conference

In a demonstration of solidarity and advocacy, the World Sindhi Congress (WSC) took centre stage…

2 days ago

Sindhi nationalist raises voice against forced conversion of Hindu girls

In a recent video message, Sohail Abro, chairman of the Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement (JSFM),…

2 days ago

“We’re looking them to act, if they don’t, we will,” US warns China over its support for Russia

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken after concluding his three-day visit to China that he…

2 days ago