Deforestation prohibition maintained

Brazilian highest court for Federal Law (third degree court) decided that is illegal to allow deforestation of riparian forest.

The action was filled against a municipality which had given permission to a land owner to start cutting off vegetation. Riparian forests are protected by a Federal Law.

It was proved that the land owner's attitude would cause low environmental impact; therefore, it would be reasonable to authorize deforestation.

Even so, Ministers ruled that no exceptions should be made upon such sensitive issue.



Case: RESP 176.753-SC

Laws (in Portuguese)

Federal Constitution (Article 225, § 1°, IV);
Law 4.771/1965 (Article 2°, a, I);
Decree 750/1993 (Articles 1º and 10).