Satellite surveillance results in R$53.9 million in fines for deforestation in six months in AM

Remote inspection by the Amazonas Environmental Protection Institute (Ipaam) resulted in the application of R$53.9 million in fines for deforestation in the state between May and October 2026. During the period, satellite image monitoring generated 682 infraction notices and 763 embargo terms.

The measures restricted activities in 8,281.40 hectares of areas, according to Ipaam. Inspection makes it possible to identify possible irregularities in regions that are difficult to access without the need for teams to travel immediately.

The work is carried out by the Remote Assessment Center, coordinated by the Institute's Environmental Monitoring and Protected Areas Center (CMAAP).

August had the highest number of infraction notices in the period, with 225 records. Next come July, with 135, and May, with 119.

The month also led the number of embargoes, with 221 terms drawn up. July had 173 registrations and May, 140.

Among the municipalities with the highest number of remote fines are Lábrea, with 66 infraction notices; Boca do Acre, with 61; and Novo Aripuanã, with 58.

In the embargoes, Lábrea also appears in first position, with 57 registrations, followed by Boca do Acre, with 36; Apuí, with 30; Manicoré, with 29; and Guajará, with 26.

According to the survey, Lábrea also recorded the largest individual area embargoed in the semester, with 387.17 hectares.

Remote inspection is carried out with the help of satellite images and deforestation alerts. Among the tools used by Ipaam are the BrasilMais platform and data from the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe), through the Real-Time Deforestation Detection System (Deter).

Technicians identify possible deforested areas and compare images of the same region at different periods to check changes in vegetation and size the affected area. Environmental databases are also consulted to check whether there is authorization for deforestation and seek to identify those possibly responsible.

CMAAP coordinator, Priscila Carvalho, explained that the work involves crossing satellite images with information available in environmental systems.

“This work is done using satellite images, where we compare them with our databases and try to identify who the possible offender will be,” he stated.

When the analyzes indicate irregularities and gather sufficient technical elements, Ipaam can issue a notice of infraction and an embargo without the need for an immediate in-person inspection.

According to Ipaam's CEO, Gustavo Picanço, monitoring allows the Institute to expand its operations in places where traveling teams is more difficult.

"The embargo is an important measure to immediately stop illegal activities in sensitive areas. Through satellite monitoring, we are able to act quickly and efficiently, even in regions that are difficult to access," he said.

The supervision of irregular fires is different. According to Ipaam, teams need to go to the location to check the conditions of the area, assess the damage and look for elements that will help identify those responsible.

Satellite images are used to locate occurrences and guide the teams' work, but they do not replace in-person investigation in this type of infraction.

The embargo applied remotely has the same administrative effects as that carried out during an in-person inspection. The measure restricts the use of the identified area and prevents the continuation of prohibited activities until the necessary conditions for environmental regularization are met.

The embargo does not represent the loss of property or possession of the land. The measure seeks to prevent the continuation of environmental degradation while measures are taken to regularize and recover the area.

“The recovery of the area is non-negotiable”, highlighted Priscila Carvalho.

The R$53.9 million corresponds to the value of fines applied in the period and not to the total actually collected. Those responsible for the infractions may still present an administrative defense.

According to Ipaam, the resources actually collected are destined for the State Environment Fund (Fema), administered by the State Secretariat for the Environment (Sema), to finance environmental protection and conservation actions.

The population can report illegal deforestation and other environmental infractions via WhatsApp (92) 98557-9454, by telephone (92) 2123-6715 or via the electronic form available on the Ipaam website, under the option “Report Environmental Violations Here”.