# Brazilian judiciary rulings on babaçu palm deforestation > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/brazils-stj-recognizes-collective-moral-damages-for-illegal > Updated: 2026-08-11T12:01:46.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. The Superior Tribunal de Justiça (STJ) has recognized collective moral damages stemming from the illegal deforestation of babaçu palms in Santa Terezinha do Tocantins. The case originated in 2017 when environmental police identified unauthorized clearing on a rural property. In its rulings, the court emphasized that the requirement to implement a Degraded Area Recovery Plan (PRAD) does not exempt responsible parties from the obligation to pay compensation, asserting that environmental reparation must be comprehensive. Minister Maria Thereza de Assis Moura noted that the babaçu palm holds special constitutional protection in Tocantins due to its environmental, social, and cultural significance. The court specifically highlighted the impact on traditional communities, such as the ‘quebradeiras de coco’ (coconut breakers), who rely on the palms for income and the preservation of traditional knowledge, rendering the destruction a matter of collective social and economic impact. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-11: Brazil's STJ rules illegal babaçu palm clearing constitutes collective environmental damage Brazil's STJ ruled that the illegal clearing of babaçu palms in Tocantins constitutes collective environmental moral damage, requiring compensation regardless of land restoration efforts. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazils-stj-rules-illegal-babau-palm-clearing-constitutes-collective-environmental-damage ### 2026-08-08: Brazil's STJ recognizes collective moral damages for illegal babaçu deforestation Brazil's Superior Tribunal de Justiça recognized collective moral damages for the illegal deforestation of protected babaçu palms in Tocantins. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazils-stj-recognizes-collective-moral-damages-for-illegal-babau-deforestation --- Cite as: Brazilian judiciary rulings on babaçu palm deforestation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/brazils-stj-recognizes-collective-moral-damages-for-illegal