Amazon indigenous lands face 952,000 hectares of degradation

Indigenous territories in the Amazon contain approximately 952,000 hectares of degraded land, according to 2022 TerraClass data. These areas are primarily occupied by pasture, though significant portions are also used for agriculture and mining.

Experts emphasize that restoration efforts must go beyond mere reforestation to include protecting water sources, increasing food security, and integrating traditional knowledge. The potential for restoration within these territories is estimated at 1.79 million hectares when including secondary vegetation.

Despite these challenges, indigenous lands remain among the most preserved areas in Brazil. MapBiomas data indicates that between 2019 and 2025, only 1.7% of Brazil's total native vegetation loss occurred within indigenous territories. Diana Nascimento, a Kaingang specialist from The Nature Conservancy Brasil, notes that successful restoration requires the active participation of the people living in these territories.