Brazil to open up 860,000 acres of protected Amazon rainforest to logging, mining and farming

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Brazilian environment ministry is proposing the release of 860,000 acres in the National Forest of Jamanxim for agricultural use, mining and logging. Carlos Xavier, president of a lobbying group in Pará to decrease the size of the Jamanxim forest, said the APA would bring economic progress to the region. Carlos Xavier, president of a lobbying group in Para to decrease the size of the Jamanxim forest, said the APA would bring economic progress to the region. According to Juan Doblas, from the geoprocessing laboratory of the Brazilian NGO Socioenvironmental Institute, “while deforestation ended, the plundering of the forest by loggers gained momentum.” Supermodel Gisele Bundchen has added her voice against the proposed legislation, tweeting President Temer to “protect mother earth”.