Development coupled with biodiversity conservation

The quest for economic and social development coupled with the rational use of natural resources is an integral part of Brazilian history. National efforts involve crosscutting environmental protection policies. As regards conservation of the Amazon rainforest, key measures include land regularization such as the Legal Land Program (Programa Terra Legal), the creation of new protected areas, increased efforts against illegal deforestation, and agreements to prevent the marketingof soy, timber, and beef produced in illegal areas. This set of actions, in conjunction with local programs toward the same end and a sophisticated satellite monitoring system result in reduced deforestation rates. Between 2004 and 2008, illegal deforestation activities fell 53%, from 27,400 sq km to 12,900 sq km.

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