Decision imposes a daily fine of R$50,000 if work continues and R$100,000 for each tree that is damaged
The Court of Justice decided to suspend City Hall works for the construction of two tunnels on Rua Sena Madureira, located in Vila Mariana. The injunction, which also stops the felling of 172 trees, was issued by the judge Marcelo Sergiofrom the 2nd Public Finance Court. The decision imposes a daily fine of R$50,000 if works continue and R$100,000 for each tree that is damaged. This legal action is the result of a public civil action filed by the Public Ministry of São Paulo (MP-SP), which points to possible environmental and social damage resulting from the project.
The works, which began in September, are scheduled to be completed in September 2025, with an estimated cost of R$531 million. The promoter Carlos Henrique Prestes Camargo expressed concerns about the impacts of removing vegetation, which could increase the risks of erosion and flooding in the region. He highlighted that the felling of trees did not follow municipal regulations, which generated discontent among residents and environmental activists.
Furthermore, the MP-SP emphasizes that the area in question is classified as a Special Environmental Protection Zone. In this context, the removal of native vegetation should only be authorized in situations of public utility or when the environmental impact is considered low. The agency also questions the legitimacy of the project’s environmental licensing, claiming that the characteristics of the area were not adequately described.
*Report produced with the help of AI
Published by Fernando Dias
