Amazon indigenous lands see zero deforestation in 60% of territories

A study by the Institute of Man and Environment of the Amazon (Imazon) reveals that 60% of indigenous lands in the Amazon recorded zero deforestation between August 2025 and July 2026. During this period, total deforestation in the biome reached 2,702 km², with indigenous territories accounting for only 1.7% (46.96 km²) of the total loss.

While most indigenous areas remained stable, 40% of these territories experienced some level of forest loss, typically in small patches under 1 km². The most affected areas included the Cachoeira Seca indigenous land in Pará, Andirá-Marau (AM/PA), and Porquinhos dos Canela-Apãnjekra in Maranhão.

Overall, deforestation in the Amazon saw a 23% reduction compared to the previous year. The states of Pará, Mato Grosso, and Amazonas recorded the highest total losses, though all three showed a decrease in deforestation rates compared to the prior calendar year. Researchers emphasize that the preservation of indigenous lands is vital for biodiversity, rainfall maintenance, and climate change control.