Protected Forest Area Triples in Amazon
4/29/98
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Title: Protected Forest Area Triples in Amazon
Source: WWF
Status: Distribute freely with proper credit to source
Date: 4/29/98
WASHINGTON,- In an unprecedented Amazon forests, the Atlantic forest Brazilian
government announced its commitment with the World Bank and WWF* to establish
62 million acres (25 million hectares) of new protected forest areas by the
year 2000. This is the largest conservation move ever in the Amazon.
This commitment is the first outcome of a unique alliance between the World
Bank and WWF to help conserve a network of forests around the world. The
alliance aims to help countries set aside 125 million acres (50 million
hectares) of forest in new protected areas, and bring 500 million acres (200
million hectares) of production forests under independent certification, by
the year 2005. Today's announcement to permanently protect such a large area of
Amazonian forest is a significant step in advancing the goals shared by Brazil,
other countries, and the alliance.
"The decision by Brazil's President Cardoso to protect 25 million hectares is
truly a remarkable one, both for its size and for its content," said James
D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank. "This decision will help preserve
the abundant biodiversity in this remarkable tropical region. It is a true gift
to the Brazilian people and, indeed to the world."
The world's forests are disappearing at an alarming rate. Nearly two-thirds of
the earth's original forest cover has already been lost. In the past three
months alone, the Brazilian Amazon has lost forest covering an area larger than
the state of Maryland to fires. Home to an estimated one-tenth of the world's
plant and animal species, the Amazon contains some of the planet's most
important tropical habitats.
"President Cardoso's gift to the Earth represents the first tangible, major
accomplishment for the World Bank/WWF alliance and shows what can be achieved
when two effective, influential organizations combine their expertise with a
farsighted government in an effort to save the world's forests," said Claude
Martin, Director General of WWF-International. "It is a crucial step forward
for WWF's Living Planet Campaign in its goal to protect at least 10 percent of
the world's major forest types by the year 2000."
To launch this commitment, President Cardoso today signed decrees for two new
protected areas in the Brazilian Amazon, and two in the Atlantic Forest,
together totaling almost 1.5 million acres (600,000 hectares).
Contacts:
World Bank,
Kristyn Schrader, 202/458-2736
or Cynthia Case (Radio & TV), 202/473-2243
WWF, Lee Poston, 202/778-9536