Large properties lead deforestation in the Cerrado

Furthermore, 126 thousand hectares of deforestation were confirmed in the month of June, an increase of 20,6% compared to last year. States of Matopiba – agricultural frontier made up of areas in the states of Maranhão, Tocantins, Piauí and Bahia – accounted for 74,7% of all deforestation in the Cerrado, around 367 thousand hectares.

According to a survey carried out by SAD Cerrado, deforestation has been characterized by large areas quickly deforested within private properties observed in recent months. Large properties accounted for 48% (or 193 thousand hectares) of the deforestation that occurred within private areas in the first half of 2023, followed by medium properties (33%, around 133 thousand hectares) and small properties (19%, 76 thousand hectares).

Arrival of the drought

Data for the first half of the year confirm the accelerated increase in deforestation observed at the beginning of the year. With the arrival of the dry period in the Cerrado, SAD researchers also warn of the possibility of even higher numbers in the coming months.

Biggest deforesters

The municipality of São Desidério, in western Bahia, led the ranking of deforestation in the Cerrado during the first half of 2023, followed by Balsas, in the south of Maranhão, and Correntina, also in Bahia. Together, the three municipalities totaled 51,5 thousand hectares deforested. The municipalities of Bahia and Maranhão occupy 8 of the top 10 positions in the deforestation ranking in the first six months of the year.

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