Paraná environmental authorities issue R$ 5.7 million in deforestation fines

As part of the ‘Operação Mata Atlântica em Pé 2026’, the Instituto Água e Terra (IAT) issued 392 notices of violation and approximately R$ 5.7 million in fines across the Central, Centro-Sul, and Sudoeste regions of Paraná. The enforcement actions, conducted between August 17 and 27, confirmed environmental damage to over 760 hectares of vegetation.

Authorities utilized satellite monitoring systems, including MapBiomas and Rede MAIS, to identify potential environmental changes and direct field teams to specific rural properties. Inspectors identified various irregularities, such as interventions in Permanent Preservation Areas (APP), violations of legal reserves, suppression of native vegetation, and the breach of existing environmental embargos.

Álvaro Cesar de Goes, the IAT Manager of Monitoring and Inspection, noted that while technology identifies potential alterations, field inspections are required to confirm irregularities and formalize sanctions. In a broader scope of the operation involving multiple environmental and security agencies in Paraná, approximately 2,000 hectares were inspected, resulting in 445 notices of violation and R$ 14.2 million in total fines.