Annual Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon Rainforest Drops to Lowest Level Since 1988
According to official satellite data, 3,335 square kilometers of deforestation occurred between August 2025 and July 2026.
The Brazilian government announced, based on official satellite data, that the annual deforestation rate in the Amazon rainforest has fallen to its lowest level recorded since 1988.
Decline Explained Through Official Data
According to official data shared by the Brazilian government, the annual deforestation rate has dropped to its lowest level since records began in 1988.
Loss Amount During the Period
During the period from August 2025 to July 2026, used to calculate the annual deforestation rate, a total area of 3,335 square kilometers of rainforest was lost.
Policy Changes and Their Effects
The disclosed data highlights the success of renewed efforts launched by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to halt deforestation in the Amazon upon taking office.
Comparison with the Previous Period
During the tenure of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, deforestation had surged by approximately 60 percent, destroying more than 45,000 square kilometers of land.
Revived Plans
Following the start of Lula's third term, one of his first steps was to revive the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Legal Amazon, which had been shelved during the Bolsonaro era.
Implementation Tools of the Plan
Within the scope of the action plan, four fundamental pillars were activated: strengthening monitoring and inspections, promoting a sustainable economy, and providing financial incentives and regulations.
Threats Faced Moving Forward
Despite the progress made in curbing deforestation, the Amazon faces various threats, such as climate change, proposed legislation, and potential political shifts in the country.