On Thursday, a Brazilian court ordered the immediate suspension of expansion works at the tourist site Morro de Santo Antônio, located 30 km from Cuiabá, after concerns about advancing erosion and environmental damage were raised by the state Public Ministry. The court's decision came after the Public Ministry highlighted serious issues with the ongoing construction and the management of erosion at the site, showcasing discrepancies between the situation on the ground and what the state government had previously reported.

The Public Ministry presented photographic evidence showing a deteriorated condition that contradicted the state government’s assurances regarding the state of the construction. In response to the suspension order, the State Secretariat for the Environment stated that it had not been notified of the ruling and emphasized that it was not consulted prior to the issuance of the injunction. They expressed intentions to appeal the decision, arguing that there are no valid grounds for halting the project.

The order to suspend the construction works reflects growing concerns over environmental preservation in Brazil, particularly in sensitive areas like Morro de Santo Antônio. This case could set a precedent for future environmental protection efforts, especially as public scrutiny and legal interventions become more common in response to the challenges posed by infrastructure development in ecologically fragile regions. The ongoing legal battle highlights the tensions between development interests and environmental conservation.