While environmentalists blamed the government for the rise, federal officials hailed the figures as a sign of progress in fighting deforestation, as the increase was far lower than the 34% increase recorded in 2019
Environmental advocates and scientists say that Brazil's leader, Jair Bolsonaro, is to blame for weakening environmental protections and calling for the development of the Amazon
Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon skyrockets to 12-year high under Bolsonaro
Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest surged to a 12-year high in 2020, official government data showed on Monday, with destruction soaring since President Jair Bolsonaro took office and weakened environmental enforcement.