Illegal gold mining spreads to protected Peruvian reserve
Recently released satellite images show that illegal gold mining activities have now encroached upon Tambopata National Reserve, an important protected area in the southern Peruvian Amazon.
Grassroots leader’s murder in Peru is a signal to opponents of mining, son says
The son of the president of a reforestation association who was murdered on November 19 vowed to continue his father’s work in Peru’s southern Amazonian forest. “We want to be…
Private conservation lands under threat in Peruvian Amazon
urilo Reis was guiding a group of tourists on his private nature reserve in a remote part of northeastern Peru two months ago when he came across more than a…
More than 40 tourists kidnapped – then freed – by indigenous community that demands construction of a freeway in Madre de Dios
Last Wednesday, September 23, an estimated 200 indigenous residents from Sector Boca Manu, Comunidad Nativa Diamante, and Isla de los Valles located near Manu National Park decided to take their protests to the next…
Indonesia’s mercury policy a good start, but kinks remain
Kinks still need to be worked out of Indonesia’s mercury policy, which mandates a phasing out of the toxic substance from small-scale gold mining by 2018 and aspires to extend…
Indigenous miners, leaders under threat in Colombia following killing
Indigenous small-scale miners and traditional authorities in western Colombia are facing threats in the wake of a local leader’s murder this spring. On April 7, 2015, Fernando Salazar Calvo was…
‘River wolves’ recover in Peruvian park, but still remain threatened inside and out (photos)
A giant river otter with a fish in its mouth. Photo by: Frank Hajek. Lobo de río, or river wolf, is the very evocative Spanish name for one of the…
Scientists discover high mercury levels in Amazon residents, gold-mining to blame
The Madre de Dios region in Peru is recognized for its lush Amazon rainforests, meandering rivers and rich wildlife. But the region is also known for its artisanal gold mining,…
Illegal logging, mining worsened impact of Philippines’ killer typhoon
Typhoon Bopha as seen by satellite on December 1st. Photo by: NASA MODIS Rapid Response System. According to Filipino officials, rampant illegal logging and mining were likely a part of…
Survivors say gold miners in helicopter massacred village of 80 in Venezuelan Amazon
UPDATE: An investigation by the Venezuelan government has found no evidence of the purported massacre. In addition, Survival International, an indigenous rights group, which was one of the first to…
Brazil cripples illegal gold mining operations in indigenous territory
Airplane view of Peruvian Amazon landscape scarred by open pit gold mining. Photo by: Rhett A. Butler. Brazilian police have arrested 26 people and confiscated gold and aircraft in a…
Gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon: a view from the ground
Illegal gold mining boat in Peru. Photo courtesy of Katy Ashe. On the back of a partially functioning motorcycle I fly down miles of winding footpath at high-speed through the…
Demand for gold pushing deforestation in Peruvian Amazon
Deforestation is on the rise in Peru's Madre de Dios region from illegal, small-scale, and dangerous gold mining. In some areas forest loss has increased up to six times. But…
Expedition granted?: Indonesia’s ‘paper parks’ targeted in National Geographic contest
Rangers on elephant back in Sumatra, although most patrols are on foot. Photo by: Rhett A. Butler, 2011. Twenty-five year old Trevor Frost wants to save parks in Indonesia under…
First strike against illegal gold mining in Peru: military destroys miners’ boats
Around a thousand Peruvian soldiers and police officers destroyed seven and seized thirteen boats used by illegal gold miners in the Peruvian Amazon, reports the AFP. The move is seen…
Special series
Forest Trackers
- Deforestation threatens tree kangaroo habitat in Papua New Guinea
- Fate of Malaysian forests stripped of protection points to conservation stakes
- Deforestation sweeps national park in Brazil as land speculators advance
- Drug trafficking threatens Indigenous Shipibo communities in Peru
Oceans
- Changes to global fisheries subsidies could level the playing field for traditional coastline communities
- Two threatened whale groups had a mini baby boom, but not because of lockdown
- Nitrogen: The environmental crisis you haven’t heard of yet
- Sea turtles: Can these great marine migrators navigate rising human threats?
Amazon Conservation
- Amazon, meet Amazon: Tech giant rolls out rainforest carbon offset project
- Rich countries may be buying illegal gold that’s driving Amazon destruction
- New study offers latest proof that Brazilian Amazon is now a net CO2 source
- With their land on the line, Indigenous Brazilians gather for landmark ruling
Land rights and extractives
- ‘On the map’: App shines light on 5,000 ‘invisible’ families in Brazil’s Cerrado and beyond
- As illegal logging route in Peru nears Brazil, Indigenous groups warn of calamity
- Vale told Brazil communities they were in danger. They say Vale wants their land
- With their land on the line, Indigenous Brazilians gather for landmark ruling
Endangered Environmentalists
- The Kichwa woman fighting drug traffickers and loggers in the Peruvian Amazon
- Rights groups demand end to Cambodia’s persecution of green activists
- With Indigenous rights at stake in Brasília, a territory is attacked in Paraty
- Brazil’s Bolsonaro vowed to work with Indigenous people. Now he’s investigating them
Indonesia's Forest Guardians
- From Flores to Papua: Meet 10 of Indonesia’s mangrove guardians
- Why I stand for my tribe’s forest: It gives us food, culture, and life (commentary)
- Reforesting a village in Indonesia, one batch of gourmet beans at a time
- Restoring Sumatra’s Leuser Ecosystem, one small farm at a time
Conservation Effectiveness
- Is planting trees as good for the Earth as everyone says?
- ‘Bad science’: Planting frenzy misses the grasslands for the trees
- A Malagasy community wins global recognition for saving its lake
- Scientists in Costa Rica are growing new corals to save reefs
Southeast Asian infrastructure
- Plantations and roads strip away Papua’s forests. They’re just getting started
- Indonesian farmers refuse to budge for train line through karst landscape
- UNESCO calls for closure of road running through World Heritage park in Papua
- Indonesia’s Gorontalo road runs into forest, swerves environmental checks
