Ibama fines Curitiba City Hall R$ 525,000 for irregularities in tree cutting on Avenida Arthur Bernardes

Ibama fines Curitiba city hall more than R$ 525,000 The Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) applied two fines against Curitiba City Hall for irregularities in the cutting of 105 trees on Avenida Arthur Bernardes. Combined, the fines reach R$ 525,155.70. The trees – including araucarias, which are a threatened species – were cut in May, under protest from residents. The action is part of the Novo Inter 2 works and the implementation of a linear park in the region. Ibama analyzed the cuts after questions from the Curitiba City Council about possible irregularities. Upon investigating the situation, the federal agency identified at least five problems. ✅ Follow the g1 PR channel on WhatsApp Among them, the lack of registration in the National System for the Control of the Origin of Forest Products (Sinaflor) – a tool created to track and control land use and tree cutting in Brazil. According to Ibama, part of the authorizations was not entered into the system, which goes against federal legislation. The agency also pointed out the incorrect classification of the vegetation. According to Ibama, part of the trees was classified as "isolated." However, the analysis showed that, in practice, they formed clusters, which may characterize continuous native vegetation and, consequently, requires stricter rules for the cutting to be authorized. Ibama also indicated a possible use of inadequate authorization, based on a municipal law of Curitiba. According to the agency, the city hall used the ARP modality (Environmental Authorization for Vegetation Removal) – a license required in Curitiba for the cutting or pruning of trees located on private or public properties. However, the law provides that, in cases where the reason for removing vegetation is to carry out works, the authorization must be approved through the AEO (Authorization for Execution of Works), points out the Ibama report. Protester was removed by agents of the Curitiba Municipal Guard Reproduction Ibama also pointed out problems in the control of wood due to the lack of issuance of Forest Origin Documents (DOF) – which compromises the traceability of the product and reduces the capacity for inspection and auditing by the competent bodies. According to Ibama, this creates conditions that "favor the improper use of regularly constituted forest credits to cover up forest products of diverse or untraced origin." Finally, the federal agency pointed out that no valid authorization was proven for the cutting of some araucarias. According to Ibama, there are indications that at least one araucaria was cut without complete regularization. According to the city hall, 105 trees were cut and another 37 will be replanted in other locations. Reproduction/RPC READ ALSO: Humanitarian aid: Paraná sends firefighters and dogs to help rescue victims of earthquakes in Venezuela Femicide: Reserve military officer is arrested suspected of killing his wife after telling police she had committed suicide Video: Leak turns into ice on faucet during morning with a wind chill of -4.9°C in a city in Paraná Referrals suggested by Ibama In addition to the fines, among the referrals suggested by Ibama are the suspension of cutting authorizations and the obligation for the city hall to regularize the registration in Sinaflor. Furthermore, Ibama suggests forwarding the situation to the Public Prosecutor's Office of Paraná (MPPR), for awareness and eventual adoption of appropriate measures. What does Curitiba City Hall say? In a note, Curitiba City Hall informed that, until Thursday morning (25), it had not yet been officially notified about the assessment, but that, if it is, it will present the appropriate clarifications within the provided deadlines. "The municipality reiterates that all interventions were carried out in compliance with environmental legislation and following the applicable technical and legal procedures," says the note. Felling of trees in the region of Avenida Presidente Arthur da Silva Bernardes, in April 2025 Giovani Sella VIDEOS: Most watched on g1 Paraná Read more news on g1 Paraná.