The detrimental effects of Amazon deforestation on climate change have been acknowledged for years. Climate scientists and environmental activists have consistently emphasized the need to protect rainforests. Recently, the Brazilian government has weakened environmental regulations for major industrial projects in the region, heightening the risk of ecological harm. Photographer Lalo de Almeida has been documenting these changes, capturing the evolving landscape of the rainforest as well as areas where new development projects are being initiated.

In the featured image, Almeida depicts numerous trucks transporting soybeans along a road near Milituba, expected to connect to a new railway system that will transport soybeans to the Tapajos River. Additionally, another photograph shows three men gathering soybeans from a truck that has experienced an accident—an all-too-frequent occurrence for individuals engaged in this line of work.

Almeida’s photography not only highlights the extensive agribusiness influence in the Amazon but also emphasizes the local communities often overlooked in political discussions. “Indigenous territories along the railway route, riverside communities, and conservation areas are all being affected, yet the residents of these regions have not been consulted,” he states.

Learn more about the new soybean transportation routes. The children seen playing in a canoe in the image below reside in a village on indigenous land threatened by upcoming oil exploration projects.

On a more positive note, some workers are constructing power transmission towers within the Waimiri Atroari Indigenous territory. This large-scale endeavor seeks to engage the community and minimize environmental impact.

Nonetheless, significant damage has already occurred. Almeida documents a charred Brazil nut tree near an illegal spur road, emphasizing the deforestation and land seizure threats in the area. The twisted remains starkly illustrate the consequences of prioritizing development over environmental preservation.