Cablegate: Ibama Responsible for Toppling Two More Major Illegal

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ETRD KSCA BR
SUBJECT: IBAMA RESPONSIBLE FOR TOPPLING TWO MORE MAJOR ILLEGAL
LOGGING OPERATIONS

1. Ibama, Brazil's Environmental Protection Agency, has executed two
major operations against illegal logging in the month of September.
The first one, a three-week long operation, code named Guariba,
confiscated 8,500 cubic meters of sawn wood and logs in the state of
Mato Grosso. Operation Guariba is a joint effort between Ibama, the
Brazilian Army and the Federal Police with the goal of stemming the
rate of deforestation in the Amazon. Over 35 soldiers are stationed
in the region and they have confiscated various equipment used by
the loggers, such as trucks and tractors.

2. The second operation, Kojima, took place in the state of Para.
Authorities impounded over 25,000 cubic meters of wood and levied
fines that totaled more than US$ 650,000. According to Ibama, this
is the largest seizure ever in the state. Ibama investigated twelve
timber companies during the operation and shut down seven of them.
Four other companies were fined for operating without a license.
Kojima is planned to continue until December.

3. Both operations are part of the GoB's Federal Plan for Prevention
of Deforestation in the Amazon. The plan, in action since 2004, has
impounded over 810,000 cubic meters of wood, as well as, issued over
US$ 1,4 billion worth of fines. Ibama and Federal police were
responsible for eleven major operations in the Amazon alone.

4. Following on news of Kojima and Guariba, President Lula and
Environmental Minister, Marina Silva, declared a 30% drop in the
rate of Amazon deforestation for the period of August 2005 to August
2006. According to Silva, Ibama undertook 95 operations in 2006
arresting 379 people. If the decrease in deforestation is confirmed,
it will be the lowest total registered since 1991.

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