In a year marked by increased deforestation and fires in the Amazon and the Pantanal, Environment Minister Ricardo Salles spent more days on work commitments in São Paulo than in all other trips made in 2020.
Since the beginning of the year, flames have consumed 21% of the Pantanal. In the Amazon, deforestation grew 34% from August 2019 to July 2020—a period considered a reference by the National Institute for Space Research.
In September, Salles was at events and meetings in the São Paulo capital for at least 25 days. In the Amazon region, it was four days, and in the Pantanal, another two. In other words, the minister spent four days in São Paulo for each day in an area affected by fires or deforestation.
Folha researched his schedule that is available on the Ministry of the Environment's website and took into account only official commitments. Personal trips were not considered, since the minister is a native of São Paulo.
On Monday (28), the National Council for the Environment passed a resolution that, in practice, eliminated other legislation and reduced protection for sandbank areas, in coastal regions, and also around water reservoirs.
The measures benefit the real estate market, which is interested in building projects in these regions.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon