Brazil's incoming environment minister vows to fight illegal logging in Amazon

[Judi Lynn]

Brazil's incoming environment minister vows to fight illegal logging in Amazon
The Associated Press
Published: May 20, 2008

BRASILIA, Brazil: Brazil's future environment minister vowed Monday to aggressively fight illegal logging and deforestation in the Amazon rain forest.

Former Rio de Janeiro state Environment Secretary Carlos Minc is expected to take the post on May 27. He replaces renowned rain forest defender Marina Silva, who resigned last week in apparent despair over the obstacles she faced in policing the illegal lumber industry, among other things.

Minc on Monday insisted that anti-logging measures "will be maintained and reinforced." He announced plans to use soldiers to protect the environment and vowed to implement a "zero deforestation" program. He gave no further details.

Silva had criticized the government's failure to provide sustainable alternatives to illegal logging. Her resignation left many environmentalists worried that illegal loggers might more often be left to do as they please.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/20/america/LA-GEN-Brazil-Amazon.php