Worrying outlook for Caxiuana National Forest...

We have just visitied the Benevides logging concession in the northern part of the Caxiuana National Forest. After several hours on the boat passing seemingly intact primary forest we were greeted by a huge gash in the forest next to the river as we arrived. A main road stretches 13km through the forest, with secondary roads forming a substantial grid across the area. Road building started less than one month ago and next month logging will commence, but we witnessed the first tree - a Manilkara sp. - being cut.

The site manager spent two days with us in the forest and I was impressed by the welcoming and open attitude. Yet, I am depressed to see the immense impact that what is probably best practice in the Amazon today has on the forest.