Brazil: “Serra do Divisor National Park” threatened!

[jmg]

I received this petition:

My name is Lucas Matos, I’m a Brazilian forest engineer. I live in Rio Branco, the capital of the state of Acre, in the heart of the Amazon forest.
A new bill at the Brazilian congress threatens one of the most important biodiversity sanctuaries in our state called the “Serra do Divisor National Park”. This natural park is made up of countless waterfalls, mountains and more than 800 animal species, whether mammals, birds or reptiles.
According to Unesco, this natural park is home to ten different types of forest within it, and a record for biodiversity. The sanctuary is located on the border between Brazil and Peru, making it a unique place.
However, two members of Congress, Senator Marcio Bittar and MP Mara Rocha, want to abolish the Serra Do divisor National park. They are proposing to change the status of the park to pave the way for illegal logging, deforestation, agriculture and livestock in this ecological paradise in the Amazon. This directly threatens the way of life of the natives who live in this park.
I know how important it is to preserve our environment, not only for Brazilians but for the whole planet. I ask you to help me by signing this petition to counter this bill and to send the following message to the Brazilian congress: we want to preserve the Amazon rainforest!
This petition is also addressed to the United Nations, UNESCO, the United States and Brazilian justice.
Keeping this natural park intact also opens up prospects for development for our country, such as scientific research and ecological tourism. We do not want political actions that rely on dismantling environmental standards and that only benefit criminals and those who take over the land.
#AllForSerraDoDivisor

(French) link to sign the petition : www.change.org/p/allforserradodivisor/psf/promote_or_share

To learn more about the Serra do Divisor National Park :

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serra_do_Divisor_National_Park 

[Paul K]

I’m speechless and we can’t catch the butterfly there.
This whole world went bananas.
Everything is out of logic.

[trehopr1]

I hate to say it but, the words or thoughts of "outsiders" to Brazil have no meaning... There are probably few if any real "lobbying" groups whose voice is listened to over there. Democracy or if you will the ability to freely discuss land uses and form a "common ground" decision benefitting all those concerned; has not reached that stage yet in it's evolution.

It has taken the " flagship" countries of Europe (Britain/France/Germany etc.) and America included; at least 100 years to be at the level now where real concrete serious debates are fought over "all the time" in each respective country concerning land use, land protection, sustainability etc. etc...

In this way, and in my humble opinion Brazil is at least 70 years BEHIND all of us (if not more); in making qualitative decisions about "level-headed" land use. Quite frankly, they are Neanderthals at this time in their thinking. It is pretty much the way things worked here in America back in late 1800's and probably on into the early 1960's.Then there began a real stir or "outcry" by MANY (learnEd / learnt) individuals and fledgling groups well aware of the destruction and havoc on our environments by little or no compromise by the Federal gov't and no legal debates or "wrangling" over the issues.

Brazil and most of Central and South America have a long, long way to go.... I fear this mentality they have may never evolve enough in time to repair the irrevocable damages they now incur and continue to incur on their respective environments and ecosystems.

[ciervo]

Many people are too scared to even sign such petitions.
Its all on record.
I was advised not to ever sign such things by a trusted government employee.

[nomad]

Not sign a petition and you are in Australia? or are you in Brazil. Surely a case of paranoia there. Thousands will sign this petition, what are you suggesting Brazil has a worldwide network of hitmen, if a million sign their government  probably would not care less, as they are keen on destroying their forest . 

[exoticimports]

Petitions are useless. They don’t work in Virginia they don’t work in Brazil.

Money. Exchange money for rainforest with the locals.

[Adam Cotton]

Feb 8, 2020 17:21:38 GMT exoticimports said:

Exchange money for rainforest with the locals.

Sadly the next thing that happens is the locals get shot or, in some countries, take the money and sell the trees to the loggers as well.

Adam.

[exoticimports]

Feb 8, 2020 20:37:50 GMT Adam Cotton said:

Feb 8, 2020 17:21:38 GMT exoticimports said:

Exchange money for rainforest with the locals.

Sadly the next thing that happens is the locals get shot or, in some countries, take the money and sell the trees to the loggers as well.

Adam.

I can’t think of a place that locals with sufficient funding have not driven off logging. This is not to be confused with locals who, according to western do-good organizations, are purportedly shown the light and educated on environmental importance...yet in reality have insufficient money or resources.

Francis Ona didn’t want the Panguna mine on Bougainville, so no mine. Granted, it came to a war with PNG but still today, 25 years later, no mine. They were serious.

Contrast that with the Gold Ridge mine on Guadalcanal. Miners paid off the locals to start the mine, but when funds stopped the mine was destroyed by same said locals. In Munda, Choisul, Rennell, logging money talks. But Tetepare is off limits thanks to a few local people who are funded by NGOs and have enough clout and threats to keep the island safe.

In Yasuni the oil concerns were granted exploration rights (granted = paid for) then told to get out. And the locals told them with guns and roadblocks. In Montana the locals told the federal government to get out. On Malaita the locals told the loggers “not interested “ and everyone knows the Malaitans have the might and resources to enforce it. There a lot of money behind Everest expeditions, and the locals control Everest- not the Nepali government. When the locals say Everest is closed, it’s closed. Ditto Kashmir.

The problem with environmental NGOs is the same as US in Afghanistan. The western savior dumps some money in and trumpets success. But when the cash stops flowing the locals go back to what they were doing. Saving a forest is a long-term financial commitment, a truth that somehow seems to evade NGOs.