Prioritization of Municipalities for the Prevention, Monitoring and Control of Deforestation in the Amazon: A Contribution to the Assessment of the Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon (PPCDAm)

Abstract

After more than a decade of deforestation reduction in the Amazon – in association with a set of government and society efforts, especially the Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon (PPCDAm) - this trajectory has been presenting signs of growth. Therefore, it is important to assess the results of the public policies responsible for the reduction in deforestation, in order to focus on and adapt those that have succeeded. One of the relevant PPCDAm policies, which had an impact on shared environmental management, is the prioritization of municipalities for the focus of actions on the prevention, monitoring and control of deforestation in the Amazon Biome (Decree No. 6,321/2007). This paper aims to assess, from an interdisciplinary perspective, the results of this policy since its creation. Qualitative and quantitative research was carried out, covering (i) bibliographic research based on official documents and available literature and (ii) analysis of municipal deforestation data. The study found that the policy showed more significant results in its early years, having influenced the creation of other policies and, afterwards, presenting a reduction in its effectiveness. This performance seems to be related to the reduction in actions and to the delay in updating the list of prioritized municipalities. Thus, the current context demands an effort to reformulate the policy. The updating of the list in 2017 brings positive perspectives, and may signalize an effort to continue enforcing its execution by revising incentives and increasing its effectiveness.