Amazon Deforestation Falls to Lowest Levels Since 2018

"The number of deforested kilometers in the Brazilian Amazon between August 2025 and March 2026 fell by 36 percent compared to the previous year, according to a recent report published by the Brazilian Human and Environment Amazon Institute, also known as Imazon. In total, 1,460 square kilometers (564 square miles) of land were cut down during that period, the lowest figure since 2018."

"Paulo Brando, a researcher and associate professor at the Yale School of the Environment, said the deforestation numbers show how well national leaders are managing the region. "In general, when you see not only a pattern, but a trend in reducing deforestation, it means that sort of the actions taken by the government usually are in the right direction," he said."

"Pará and Mato Grosso, states with historically high Amazon deforestation, saw sharp reductions in the most recent nine-month period compared to the previous one. In Pará, clearing dropped by 52 percent (467 square kilometers, or 180 square miles worth of land, less), while Mato Grosso, the country's leading soybean producer, saw a 38 percent drop (163 square kilometers, or 63 square miles, less)."

"In the heart of the Amazon rainforest, the biggest Brazilian state, Amazonas, also saw a decline. In total, 219 square kilometers (85 square miles) were cleared, compared to 335 (129 square miles) in the previous nine-month period. Ana Clis Ferreira, a spokesperson for Greenpeace Brazil, said the rates of decline were uplifting news and could be attributed to the environment department under Minister Marina Silva."

Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon decreased by 36% between August 2025 and March 2026 compared with the previous year. A total of 1,460 square kilometers of land were cleared, the lowest figure since 2018. The reductions were seen across major deforestation states. Pará recorded a 52% drop, with 467 square kilometers less cleared land. Mato Grosso, a leading soybean producer, saw a 38% decline, with 163 square kilometers less cleared land. Amazonas also declined, with 219 square kilometers cleared compared with 335 in the prior nine-month period. The changes were linked to government actions and environmental policy implementation.

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