Thank you Mr. President!

Lula has created two new national parks in the Amazon rain forest and expanded another to protect an environmentally sensitive region where the government plans a major highway project. 3,7 million acres are now saved by decree in a region which reaches the size of Western Euope and has already lost about 20% due to exploration, development, logging and farming. Last year the forest lost a year-record 10.000 square miles.
Politically a very "explosive issue", just recalling the acts of violence in the region exactly one year ago. Representatives of the Wood Industry criticize the way these measures are taken alone by the government in Brasilia and which may result in even more conflicts with the rural producers many of whom would be forced to leave. Some invaded the area illegally, others where "placed" there by the government 20 years ago, without regulation. They occupy the land but most do not own it legally.
The representatives and the industry are proposing to the National Congress the implementation of a project for a sustainable wood exploration by giving limited concessions to companies.
Other groups regard the decree and its measures as just another step to further exploit woods in the rain forest, and they demand mecanisms which prevent that international companies profit from it. But it is good to see that the government is acting now.