Burning is a crime!

In this drier period of the year, the illegal practice of burning increases. Unfortunately, this is a very common bad habit throughout the region. This problem is even worse, due to the low humidity of the air and some outbreaks become uncontrollable, putting the lives of people, animals and all biodiversity at risk.

Given the frequency of fires that have occurred throughout the region, Copaíba sent a letter to public bodies in the municipalities of Socorro, Serra Negra, Lindóia, Águas de Lindóia, Itapira, Pinhalzinho, Amparo and Monte Alegre do Sul demanding preventive actions to be taken against fires. and also punitive to those responsible for the illegal practice.

Raising people's awareness of the tragic consequences caused by fires is a way to reduce fires. “Few preventive actions are carried out. Now, much damage has already been done, it only remains to fine the criminals. The disclosure must be made before, to avoid the fires. It is very sad to know that animals are dying, being burned or being run over, fleeing the fire and people with health problems due to the smoke”, comments Flávia Balderi, Executive Secretary of Copaíba.

The damage is irreparable not only to nature, but also to people's health. Smoke causes respiratory diseases, especially in children and the elderly.

There are federal, state and even municipal laws against fires. In Socorro, Municipal Law 3825/2014 is in operation and when the intention of the act is proven, fines are applied. The purpose of the law is to prevent fires, protecting areas, whether forested or not, from the fires that have occurred too often.

environmental damage

Many species of fauna, at this time, close to the beginning of spring, are reproducing. Hundreds of couples and even chicks of birds and wild animals are being killed by the fire. “The estimate is approximately 2,000 hectares of areas affected by fires in the region this year alone. The environmental impact is incalculable”, explains Flávia.

In Itapira, the Talisman Farm, which supports the Corredor das Onças project, had a large area of the property taken over by fires. The biggest concern of the owners was the risk of the fire reaching the puma enclosure. The threat to wildlife is very critical. “Animals, when they don't die from being run over or burned, are left without shelter. The pups, when they survive, are separated from their mothers and taken to captivity. This happens in all forest fragments that are affected by fire”, comments Marcia Rodrigues, coordinator of the Project Corridor das Onças of ICMBio – Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation.

*Photos: Iza Bordotti and Daniel Sallum