BRAZIL
Green Justice
A federal judge in Brazil stopped a plan to allow mining in a huge swathe of the Amazon forest, saying President Michel Temer exceeded his authority in rescinding its designation as a protected area.
Last week, Temer issued a presidential decree that opened up an area the size of Denmark known by the Portuguese acronym Renca to mining operations, causing a local and international outcry from environmentalists. The court injunction came in response to a suit from Antonio Carlos Fernandes, a lawyer and university professor in the northeastern city of Fortaleza, the New York Times reported.
The government had argued that allowing regulated mining within the zone would curb illegal gold mining and generate jobs, and had offered a more detailed proposal for mitigating environmental damage and safeguarding the rights of indigenous communities after the initial outcry.
It’s now likely to appeal the court’s decision – opposition from model Gisele BĆ¼ndchen notwithstanding.
No comments:
Post a Comment