How a deforestation hub in the Amazon became a model for sustainability

Once a symbol of Amazonian deforestation, Paragominas, Brazil, has transformed into a beacon of sustainable development, reducing deforestation by 80% and earning recognition as a "green municipality."

Mac Margolis reports for The Guardian.

In short:

Paragominas, once infamous for rampant deforestation, banned slash-and-burn farming and illegal logging through a community-driven environmental pact in 2008, achieving an 80% deforestation reduction by 2010.
The pact included a geo-referenced property registry to monitor land use, making Paragominas a model of environmental governance and a magnet for investment and sustainable growth.
Despite setbacks, including a deforestation spike under Jair Bolsonaro's administration, the municipality now boasts improved forest cover, economic growth and rising education standards.

Key quote:

“Paragominas transformed from one of the country’s worst forest predators to one of the leaders of environmental governance in the Amazon.”

— Tasso Azevedo, forestry expert

Why this matters:

Paragominas demonstrates that local action and community consensus can reverse environmental destruction, offering a hopeful model for addressing the Amazon’s ecological and climate challenges. Paragominas shows that even in a place scarred by exploitation, regeneration isn’t just possible — it’s powerful.

www.theguardian.com

How a deforestation hub in the Amazon became a model for sustainability

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