As a result of corruption, lawlessness and a general lack of regulation, Ji-Paraná has been at the centre of Rondônia's extreme deforestation, which today extends up to the border with Bolivia.

The area between Ji-Paraná and Porto Velho, the regional capital 373 km away, is now largely deforested.

The deforestation expands along smaller illegally built roads stemming from the BR-364 highway.

The municipality contains part of the 346,861 hectares (857,110 acres) Jaru Biological Reserve, a fully protected conservation unit created in 1984.

[7] Isaú Raimundo da Fonseca is the city's current mayor, his term expires in 2024.