The Brazilian government this week launched, in Manaus, the capital of Amazonas state, the Brazil without Extreme Poverty Plan, for the north of the country. The plan includes the Environmental Conservation Support Program (the "Green Grant"), through which families in extreme poverty who are engaged in environmental conservation will receive R$ 300 a quarter. About 3,500 families will get the benefit in early October. The goal is to assist 18,000 families this year and reach 76,000 by 2014.

The Green Grant, coordinated by the Environment Ministry (MMA), encourages the conservation of ecosystems and promotes Brazilian citizenship among the residents in these areas. The amount will be transferred through the Family Grant card. The government has trained technicians in various parts of the country to work on the program.

The environmental protection activities can be developed in national forests, extractive reserves and sustainable development projects, as well as forestry settlements, sustainable development and extractive settlements managed by the National Institute of Settlement and Agrarian Reform (INCRA). Protection of Permanent Preservation Areas (APP), extractivism based on best practices, and properly-managed fishing are some of the environmental preservation activities to be covered by Grant Green.

"The Green Grant is above all recognition by the Federal Government that it is essential to offer an incentive that combines guaranteed income and preservation of the environment. It is critical to our development model and is the only possible union," said President Dilma Rousseff, during the announcement of the program. "People with higher incomes will be more committed to the environment and their surroundings. We will encourage extractivism, guaranteeing a fair income."

Source:
MDS