Brazilian cave heritage under siege

Abstract

Under President Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil has neglected environmental protection (1). Until recently, subterranean environments were largely safeguarded; although some caves could be destroyed for the purposes of exploiting mineral resources or urban development, those classified as presenting maximum cultural, geological, and/or biological value had to be preserved (2). However, a January presidential decree (3) allows the destruction of even those caves with maximum relevance, representing a substantial step backward for subterranean conservation.