In the previous week, the health ministry of Brazil reported 6,276 new COVID-19 cases in one day. It is the highest record for COVID-19 cases reported in one day in the country. This brings that country's total novel coronavirus cases to 107,000, says the database of the Johns Hopkins University. At least 7,300 people were reported to have died from the deadly illness, says a recent article.


Worst Hit Areas in Brazil

Some of the areas in Brazil that are badly affected by the current pandemic is the Amazon rainforest. Many researchers say that the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is contributing to the Amazon rainforest's destruction.


Deforestation in the Amazon

There has been an increase in deforestation in Brazil of more than half in this year's first three months in comparison to the same period in 2019, say the researchers. INPE, the space agency of Brazil, makes use of data from satellite images to record the cutting and burning of a vast number of trees across the region every year. It was recorded last year that the fires were up by 30 percent.


The Largest Rainforest in the World

The largest rainforest in the world is the Amazon rainforest, and it is an important ecosystem that helps absorb five percent of the carbon emissions of the world every year. It significantly helps the world combat climate change.


Agricultural Productions vs. The Amazon Rainforest

An increasing number of lands in the Amazon region are being razed for agricultural production, such as soybeans and beef. This issue had attained worldwide attention during 2019's summer and fall season as thousands of fires in the Amazon had accelerated deforestation in the region.


In operation of Agencies the Normally Works in the Amazon

The non-government agencies that collaborate with indigenous people in the Amazon state that the inclining trend of deforestation in the region is partly due to the lesser presence of oversight agencies that generally operate in the Amazon. The seen cause for their absence is the recent implementation of social distancing guidelines and insufficient funding from Brazil's current government.

In April, the local media showed how leaders from indigenous groups and advocates feared that illegal miners, illegal loggers, and land-grabbers might take advantage of the crisis brought by the coronavirus. This group of people is fear of the intrusion in their territories in the region.  


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Plan to Deploy Armed Forces 

Due to these increasing activities in the region, the vice president of Brazil Hamilton Mourão announced a plan to use the armed forces of the country to help fight against fires and deforestation in the Amazon last week.


Bolsonaro's Move

A similar move was implemented to combat forest fires in the region last year under a decree signed by President Jair Bolsonaro. However, the policies of the Brazilian president have resulted in the encouragement of developments in the Amazon. This had resulted in widespread criticisms.

The president was even criticized for reducing the oversight agencies' funding. Also, Bolsonaro failed to implement legislation for the prevention of deforestation.