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Families Fight Eucalyptus Monoculture Takeover in Brazil's "Green Desert"
5 Nov
Summary
- Baixa Verde settlement wins 1,300 hectares from Veracel Celulose after 18-year legal battle
- Families face death threats, arson, and violence from armed groups since 2024
- Eucalyptus plantations drain water and increase wildfire risk in the region
In northeastern Brazil, the Baixa Verde settlement has emerged victorious in an 18-year legal battle against multinational Veracel Celulose over 1,300 hectares of land. The settlement, home to 91 local families, had accused the company of illegally planting eucalyptus on public land.
However, the families' victory has come at a heavy price. Since 2024, they have faced a wave of violence, including death threats, arson, and armed clashes. Six leaders of the Landless Workers' Movement (MST), which supported the Baixa Verde community, have been placed under government protection due to the threats.
The expansion of eucalyptus plantations in the region has also taken a toll on the environment. Dubbed the "green desert" by locals, the monoculture farms have drained water resources and increased the risk of wildfires. Researchers have found that groundwater levels in the neighboring state of Minas Gerais have dropped by 4.5 meters over the past 45 years due to the water-intensive eucalyptus cultivation.
Despite the ongoing challenges, the Baixa Verde families remain determined to defend their hard-won land and convert the former eucalyptus plantations into productive food-growing plots. Their fight against the multinational's encroachment on public land has become a symbol of the broader struggle for land rights and environmental justice in Brazil.
