In Brazil, satellites help scientists zone in on Amazon deforestation

An aerial view of deforestation in the Menkragnoti Indigenous Territory in Altamira, Para state, Brazil, in the Amazon basin. Non-profit MapBiomas aims to end 'impunity' over illegal land clearing and hold those responsible to account. — AFP

RIO DE JANEIRO: A group of Brazilian researchers using satellite data to track illegal deforestation are on a mission to hit the people responsible where it hurts – in the pocket.

Mapping project MapBiomas is working with state governments, prosecutors and even state-controlled Banco do Brasil to flag illegal land clearances and bring the culprits to account with consequences including fines, lawsuits and loan refusals.