A new four-lane highway is being built in Belem, Brazil, for the COP30 climate summit, resulting in the deforestation of tens of thousands of acres of Amazon rainforest. The project aims to facilitate traffic for over 50,000 expected attendees but has drawn criticism from locals and conservationists. While the government touts sustainable features, many affected individuals report a lack of compensation for their losses.
A significant area of Amazon rainforest is being cleared for a new four-lane highway in Belem, Brazil, in preparation for the COP30 climate summit scheduled for November. This highway, known as Avenida Liberdade, spans eight miles and is intended to alleviate traffic congestion for the expected 50,000 attendees. Locals and conservationists express outrage over the deforestation, emphasizing the contradiction of clearing forest for a conference focused on climate change mitigation.
Despite environmental concerns, the state government promotes the highway’s sustainable features, claiming it will include wildlife crossings, bike lanes, and solar lighting. The project had previously faced delays but was revived as part of broader infrastructure improvements for the upcoming summit. In addition, the government is developing new hotels and enhancing port facilities to accommodate the influx of visitors.
To further support this initiative, Brazil has allocated over $81 million to double the airport’s capacity from seven million to 14 million passengers. However, local residents like Claudio Verequete have reported losing their livelihoods due to the destruction of acai berry trees without any offered compensation from the state government, leading to financial strain.
The construction of a new highway in the Amazon for the COP30 climate summit has led to significant deforestation, causing frustration among locals and conservationists. While the government suggests sustainable features for the highway, there are concerns about the irony of clearing forests to discuss climate preservation. Furthermore, local residents face financial hardships due to loss of resources without government compensation, highlighting ongoing tensions between development and conservation.
Original Source: www.indiatoday.in
