Brazil invests $75 million in BR-319 highway fueling Amazon deforestation concerns

Brazil’s government has announced a $75 million investment in the BR-319 highway, a move environmentalists fear could speed up Amazon deforestation.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva claims it will be the most environmentally advanced road in the world.

The highway, linking Amazonas and Rondonia, remains mostly unpaved since its 1976 inauguration.

The government also unveiled an environmental protection plan that includes monitoring and conservation units.

Critics argue the project lacks necessary safeguards and could worsen deforestation.

The Amazon plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate.