THE bill approved by the Lower House of Brazil’s Congress earned criticisms from researchers and scientists due to concerns the proposed highway could destroy the precious rainforest.
For supporters of the bill, the proposed highway within the heart of the Amazon is a “sustainable” idea.
But for researchers and scientists, the measure is a threat to the world’s largest tropical rainforest as it could lead to deforestation and destruction.
Once it turns into law, the measure will authorize access to the $1.3-B Amazon Fund.
This means the money designed for the conservation of the rainforest will be used to build the controversial highway.
Established in 2008, the Amazon Fund aims to preserve the rainforest through money donated by the United States and European nations.
Human activity and extreme drought have caused a lot of damage to the Amazon.
Forest destruction led to fires, significant loss of wildlife, deforestation, and disturbance to the indigenous people and their health.
The bill still needs the approval of the Senate before it can turn into law.
