A Brazilian cattle rancher was ordered by the federal court last week to pay a compensation of $50m for illegally destroying the forest of Amazon and doing deforestation.
The Brazilian cattle rancher named Dirceu Kruger, has caused the climate impact in the region, this case was filed by Brazil’s attorney general’s office, representing the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama).
Making the largest climate case brought in Brazil court, Kruger has destroyed 5,600 hectares (13,838 acres) in the Amazonian municipalities of Boca do Acre and Lábrea.
This land was public but belonged to the government, Kruger by using the chainsaw cleared the vegetation that was present there and also set fire to the grass-grown to clear the land and establish an area for raising the cattle.
On Amazon, humans depend on the climate system balance and this activity has a significant impact on the climate condition due to illegal activities like these done by the offenders will put it in a threatening position till the year 2025 according to scientists.
The responsible officer who filed the case said that the person had impacted the forest in two ways first he burned the vegetation that released a lot of greenhouse gases and plant and tree removal will lead to an increase in carbon dioxide and less oxygen production in the atmosphere.
The damage to the Amazon rainforest causes the emission of carbon on average is 161 tonnes per hectare, leading to a total of 901,600 tonnes. After hearing this the court assessed the value and put the charge on the offender which was around €60 ($65/£50) a tonne, this cost was calculated by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
The total will be coasting will be around $50m which is set to be paid by Kruger as compensation. As an offender Kruger's assets are frozen and the fine paid will go to the National Climate Emergency Fund.
He additionally won't be able to trade the cattle and other business things he used to do as punishment he also will have to restore the land he damaged as compensation for the climate damage he caused.
Brazil’s supreme court this year has mandated the federal government to reinstate a plan aimed at preventing and controlling deforestation in the Amazon, as well as monitoring and investigating environmental crimes in the region.
The court acknowledged that Brazil's policies for environmental protection need to be updated. However, the court emphasized that more proactive measures could be taken to address these issues.
In particular, the court's decision underscored the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to curb illegal deforestation, protect biodiversity, and enforce environmental laws more effectively.
This ruling reflects a growing recognition of the critical importance of preserving the Amazon rainforest for both regional and global environmental health.
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