Brasília, 3/16/2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Yesterday president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed into law a new action plan to protect the Amazon rainforest. During a ceremony at the Palácio do Planalto, the plan was explained by minister of Environment, Marina Silva, and Presidential Chief of Staff (Casa Civil), José Dirceu.

Under the plan, which is based on the results of a work group that studied the problem for a year, government-wide action will be coordinated and focused. "We now have a viable, consistent program that is adequately funded," declared Dirceu.

The plan has a budget of R$395 million, 62% earmarked for dealing with problems involving land use and ownership.

According to Marina Silva, the budget is realistic and will meet the plan's needs. She explained that the plan consists of coordinated activities by no less than eleven ministries. She also pointed out that the plan includes an intergrated alert system that will register deforestation activities immediately, enabling the environmental protection agency (Ibama) to go into action quickly. She concluded by saying the plan would make it possible to undertake development while protecting the environment and creating social inclusion.

The Ministry of Environment reports that in the two year period, 2001-2002, 25,000 square kilometers of the Amazon rainforest were destroyed, mainly in an area known as the arch of destruction in the states of Maranhão, Acre, Tocantins, Mato Grosso, Pará and Rondonia. (AB)