Suriname Cracks Down on Amazon Rainforest Land Clearing
The government of Suriname has created a task force to crack down on land developers who illegally clear the Amazon Rainforest for agriculture and cattle ranching.
President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons stated that many areas under development are connected to Mennonites, a conservative Christian group who migrated to the country from other parts of the region with plans to establish religious farming communities.
The task force is made up of government officials, police officers, attorneys, and forest rangers who will present eviction notices and cease-and-desist orders to those involved in unauthorized occupation and land clearing.
Geerlings-Simons mentioned that some Mennonites have already received a deurwaardersexploot, a written notice delivered by a bailiff to appear in court, but did not confirm whether they had been arrested or deported.