Brazil’s Amazonian Jewel Under Threat: Cristalino Park’s Legitimacy Challenged by Mato Grosso Government

In a shocking turn of events, the Mato Grosso state government in Brazil has declared the creation of Parque Estadual Cristalino (Cristalino Park) illegitimate, sparking widespread concern among environmentalists and conservationists. This decision, which has met with fierce resistance from experts, threatens the very existence of one of the most biodiverse regions in the Amazon. Located in the heart of the Amazon, the Cristalino Park is part of the Cristalino/Serra do Cachimbo Important Bird Area (IBA) and Key Biodiversity Area (KBA), a region renowned for its extraordinary ecological significance. Spanning an impressive 118,000 hectares, this protected area is characterized by its diverse rainforest types, including evergreen, deciduous, semi-deciduous, riparian, campinarana, and floodplain forests. A haven for a staggering array of flora and fauna: over 600 bird species, 82 reptile species, 60 amphibian species, 98 mammal species, 2,000 butterfly species, 39 fish species, and over 1,400 plant species.

Also, this area is close to other protected areas such as the Indigenous Areas Menkragnotí and Panará; the Estadual Cristalino Ii State Park; the Nascentes Serra Do Cachimbo Biological Reserve; the Natural Heritage Private Reserves Reserva Particular Do Patrimônio Natural Cristalino I, Reserva Particular Do Patrimônio Natural Cristalino Iii, and Reserva Particular Do Patrimônio Natural Lote Cristalino; and the National Forest Jamanxim.

Despite its importance and the efforts to protect it, Cristalino Park faces many threats. According to Global Forest Watch, in 2023 Cristalino State Park lost approximately 175.88 ha, of those, 557.99 ha. were due to fires; between 2001 and 2023 Cristalino State Park lost 1.08 kha of humid primary forest. “There were 19,855 deforestation alerts reported in Cristalino State Park between the 20th of November 2022 and the 22nd of May 2024, covering a total of 241 ha of which 64% were high confidence alerts detected by a single system and 31% were alerts detected by multiple systems”, says the report.

The Cristalino / Serra do Cachimbo IBA/KBA is also threatened, mainly by deforestation and wildfires. According to Global Forest Watch, from 2001 to 2023, this IBA/KBA lost 28.8 kha of tree cover, equivalent to a 6.7% decrease in tree cover since 2000. From 2001 to 2023, it lost 14.8 kha of tree cover from fires and 14.0 kha from all other drivers of loss. The year with the most tree cover loss due to fires during this period was 2021 with 3.42 kha lost to fires — 95% of all tree cover loss for that year. Also, on Cristalino/Serra do Cachimbo IBA/KBA there were 34,110 deforestation alerts reported between 20th of November 2022 and 22nd of May 2024, covering a total of 414 ha of which 79% were high confidence alerts detected by a single system and 14% were alerts detected by multiple systems.

“This is a dark day for the Amazon and for Brazil,” said Edilene Fernandes, legal consultant at the Mato Grosso Socio-Environmental Observatory. “The government’s decision to challenge the legitimacy of the park is a clear indication of their lack of commitment to preserving the region’s biodiversity.”

The implications of this decision are far-reaching, with experts warning that it could pave the way for large-scale developments such as mining, deforestation, and hydroelectric plants, all of which would have devastating environmental consequences.

“The loss of this park would not only be a tragedy for the local ecosystem but also for the global community,” said Alice Thuault, executive director of the Instituto Centro de Vida. “The Amazon is a critical component in the fight against climate change, and its preservation is essential for maintaining the health of our planet”. According to Pedro Develey, Executive Director of SAVE Brasil (BirdLife in Brazil) in addition to the unique diversity of plant and animal species already known in the region, there are also species of birds new to science. “The Cristalino region is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world and a global heritage site that must be preserved for the benefit of all humanity”, said Develey. 

In light of this development, conservationists are calling on the government to reconsider its decision and work towards preserving the Cristalino Park. The international community is also urged to take action in support of this critical conservation effort. As the fate of the Cristalino Park hangs in the balance, one thing is clear: the preservation of this Amazonian jewel is crucial not only for the region’s biodiversity but also for the health of our planet.

Cover image: Parque Cristalino © Aline Gama Baptista

“The Cristalino region is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world and a global heritage site that must be preserved for the benefit of all humanity”.

Pedro Develey, Executive Director of SAVE Brasil