Mato Grosso courts uphold wetland licensing and deny Gol's bid to suspend pet‑death lawsuit

The Mato Grosso state judiciary confirmed the validity of Resolution No. 45/2022 issued by the state environmental council, which sets technical criteria for licensing sustainable use and drainage works in wetland areas of the Araguaia and Guaporé river plains. The ruling preserves the environmental framework for roughly 4.8 million hectares across 19 municipalities, providing legal certainty for local development and conservation planning.

In a separate decision, the same court rejected Gol Linhas Aéreas' request to pause a public civil action brought by the Mato Grosso Public Defender’s Office over the death of a golden‑retriever during the airline’s cargo handling. The judge ordered the airline and appointed experts to submit a forensic work proposal within 15 days, keeping the case on track to determine liability and potential compensation for consumers.

Both rulings underscore the court’s role in enforcing environmental policy and consumer protection standards within the state.