Are Mennonite colonies in the Amazon worsening deforestation?

Mennonite communities establishing new colonies in the Peruvian Amazon are contributing to deforestation as they clear land for farming, prompting investigations by authorities.

Mitra Taj reports for The New York Times.

In short:

Mennonite colonies have expanded in the Amazon, clearing forested areas for agriculture and settlement.
Peruvian authorities are investigating the colonies for illegal deforestation, though the Mennonites deny wrongdoing.
Environmentalists worry these settlements exacerbate the already critical deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.

Key quote:

"Every colony clears the forest a little bit, but it’s very little... The forest is big."

— Peter Dyck, farmer from Belize and leader of the Providencia colony

Why this matters:

The deforestation caused by Mennonite colonies adds to the Amazon's environmental degradation, which threatens global climate stability. Addressing these practices is crucial to preserving the Amazon's role in absorbing carbon emissions.

Related EHN coverage:

www.nytimes.com

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