Saving Amazon rainforests
Following a recent announcement at the un climate meeting in Bali, the Brazilian government has approved a bill that aims to monitor and prevent deforestation in the Amazon rainforests.
The measure requires property owners to re-register their holdings in the Amazon, failing which they will not be eligible for government loans. According to the environment minister, Marina Silva, the re-registering process will be carried out initially in 32 municipalities which were responsible for 45 per cent of deforestation in 2006. "The process will help create a database to identify areas that require action against deforestation,' said Silva. About 700 federal police will soon be deployed in the areas to aid 1,700 environmental protection agents who are fighting illegal deforestation. The directive also bans the sale of livestock and agricultural produce grown in illegally deforested areas.
Citing a report, the government says the deforestation rate in the Amazon dropped by 20 per cent between August 2006 and July 2007.