Amazon deforestation drops 17%

Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest declined by 17 per cent in the first quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier, according to new data from the Amazon Institute of People and the Environment.

Between January and March, the total deforested area fell from 419 to 348 square kilometres — roughly equivalent to 7,000 football pitches — signalling continued progress in efforts to curb forest loss, Caliber.Az reports per Chinese media.

The reduction is even more marked under the region’s “deforestation calendar”, which runs from August to July to reflect seasonal rainfall patterns. From August 2025 to March 2026, deforestation dropped by 36 per cent, from 2,296 to 1,460 square kilometres, the lowest level for this period since 2017.

However, the overall improvement was tempered by a rise in March, when deforestation increased by 17 per cent year-on-year, from 167 to 196 square kilometres. Researchers described the uptick as a warning sign and called for stricter enforcement against illegal logging, enhanced monitoring, tougher penalties, and broader support for bioeconomy initiatives aimed at sustainable forest use.

The report highlights the global significance of the Amazon, noting that deforestation accelerates climate change by increasing greenhouse gas emissions while eroding biodiversity.

Forest degradation — defined as partial damage caused by fires or logging — also showed notable improvement. In March 2026, degraded land totalled 11 square kilometres, down 95 per cent from a year earlier and the lowest level for March since 2014.

Despite these gains, experts warned that degradation continues to weaken ecosystems and increase long-term risks. They stressed that while recent figures point to progress, sustained vigilance and stronger environmental policies will be essential to safeguard the world’s largest tropical rainforest.

By Aghakazim Guliyev