Amazon Road Project Raises Alarm as it Threatens Biodiversity

Photo Source: Reuters

The home of three indigenous communities in Brazil is on the verge of destruction. Brazilian activists have raised alarm over the purported 94-mile road project that’s expected to pass through an angle of the dense Amazon rainforest that borders Peru.

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro defended the road plan, arguing that the transatlantic project would help in boosting the economy of the area by linking the region to China and the Pacific ports in Peru. His sentiments were echoed by Mara Rocha, a congresswoman, who stated that: “the project was critical to an area that was isolated and obscure to the rest of the country.”

Amazon jungle is the largest tropical rainforest that is located in South America and covers much of the Northwestern Brazil. Close to 40 percent of South America is covered by Amazon rainforest. Eight South American countries such as Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecudaor, Bolivia, Guyana, Venezuela and Suriname are partially covered by the rainforest.

The forest is characterized by a unique ecosystem that influences human life. The forest is home to many species of plants, animals, insects and birds. There are many other animals which are not yet scientifically recorded.

The variety of trees found there are laurel, myrtle, rosewood, palm, acacia, rubber tree, Brazil nut, Amazonian cedar and mahogany among many others. Major wildlife found in Amazon includes manatee, jaguar, red deer, monkeys, red deer and capybara among others.

Amazon rainforest has suffered much deforestation for over a decade, as reported by the Guardian. Brazilian Institute released data that revealed that at least 11,088 square kilometers of the forest was destroyed by fire between 2008 and 2019.

Satellite statistics compiled by a deforestation monitoring program in 2018 revealed that about 7,900 square kilometers of Amazon rainforest was destroyed between August 2017 and July 2018.

Comments

How Human Noise Kills Marine Species, as revealed by Scientists

Scientists have warned that the discord of noise made by humans is harming marine species . A comprehensive assessment revealed that large noise from human activities was as harmful as pollution, overfishing and climate change . The study that was conducted by the Journal Science exposed how marine animals can hear from far distances than they can see or smell. According to a report published in the Guardian, most of the marine life uses sound to catch prey as well as attracting a mating partner. Prof Carlos Duarte of King Abdullah University in Saudi Arabia argued that: “Marine animal can only sea up to around 10 meters, smell up to around a hundred meters, but they can hear across the entire ocean basins.” The research concluded that sound “is very important in the marine ecosystems, and noise is pervasive, affecting animals at all levels .” The increasing cacophony in the marine habitat is interfering with how marine animals respond to various survival tactics which

How Technology Hacked KCPE, KCSE Examination Integrity

Both Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) have lost credibility. The two academic testimonials awarded by the Kenyan National Examination Council (KNEC) lost luster with the advent of social media platforms such as Whatsapp , Telegram and even Facebook. The era when hard work was rewarded is long gone. Social messaging apps have expedited the speed at which exam material is spread, before the official examination date. Instant messaging services widened the scope of material delivery. In 2014 and 2015 there was unprecedented massive exam theft across Kenya, a scenario that led to a major overhaul of the entire examination council and the manner in which exams were administered. The then Cabinet Secretary for Education Prof Jacob Kaimenyi paid the ultimate price, when he was transferred to the less lucrative Ministry of Lands. The no-nonsense, tough looking Matiang’i replaced Kaimenyi at Jogoo House and he singl

What President Mwai Kibaki will be remembered for, even in death?

Former President Mwai Kibaki, who passed away on Friday, is undoubtedly one of the best one that Kenya has ever had since independence. President Uhuru Kenyatta announced his death at midday. Kibaki has died at the age of 91 years. Unfortunately Kibaki has died at a time when Kenyans are struggling to make their ends meet as a result of increased cost of living. The Makerere university-trained economist fine-tuned Kenya’s economy overseeing the dramatic increment of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Kibaki inherited a government that had been badly ravaged by ‘years of misrule and ineptitude.’ He chose technocrats and intellectuals to work with in building an all-inclusive country – reducing the gap between the rich and the poor. His predecessor the late Daniel Arap Moi had gravely ruined the country’s economy by entertaining corruption. Despite waging a serious battle against corruption, the same hounded some members of his cabinet including the then Finance Minister David Mwira

Phode News Hub

Search This Blog