Copyright: Eduardo Martino / Panos

Growth boom puts nature reserves at risk

• 10 per cent of Brazil’s protected habitat is affected by downgrading, downsizing or decommissioning
• Hydropower and infrastructure development are to blame for the trend, other forces at play in India
• A database aims to show that protected areas worldwide need constant attention

Brazil’s nature reserves are rapidly being downsized, downgraded or entirely decommissioned as the country develops, researchers have shown. The number of so-called PADDD events — Protected Area Downgrading, Downsizing or Degazetting — in Brazil is booming, and 10 per cent of nature reserves are now affected, according to a team of scientists speaking at the World Conservation Congress in Hawaii on 3 September. Their conclusions are based on data accessible via PADDDTracker.org, a website run jointly by the wildlife charity WWF and Conservation International. Read more.