The Amazon

In class we talked about the importance of the Amazon and its distributaries to Latin America and the harmful effects that excessive encroachment is having on the lands, the people, etc. Many in Brazil are suspicious of foreigners' reasons for using the forest and are understandably worried that their treasure, the Amazon rainforest, the largest rainforest and ecosystem in the world, will be irreversibly damaged by improper use. Soon if a bill is proposed and passed by Brazilian lawmakers, foreigners may need permits from both the military and the justice ministry to traverse the Amazon rainforest. National Justice Secretary Romeu Tumo Jr. told the press that they plan to formulate this bill and pass it "within months." This is good news for the safety and preservation of the world's largest remaining rainforest. Hopefully, this law can be passed so that it will prevent the people who mean to do harm from entering the forest while allowing those who have good intentions to experience its beauty.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080425/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/brazil_amazon_foreigners;_ylt=Ak5n084qjxse3PaOrov69qW3IxIF