The two "extractavist" reserves in the Amazon state of Para will protect over 2 000 square kilometres of rainforest from logging, mining and other forms of environmental degradation.

Brazil has different categories of environmental reserve:Extravist reserves are designed to allow the local population to remain in the protected area, tapping rubber, picking fruits and nuts and extracting other regenerating goods from the forest.

Environmentalists praised the move.

"We are extremely happy with the government's decision to honour its commitment to protect the planet's biggest tropical forest and the communities that live in them," said Paulo Adario, co-ordinator of Greenpeace's Amazon campaign.

Only about four per cent of the five million square kilometres Amazon are protected in environmental reserves, while 20 per cent is protected in the form of Indigenous reservations.

Brazil's rainforest is as big as western Europe, covering 60 per cent of the country's national territory.

Experts say as much as 20 per cent of its has been destroyed by development, logging and farming.- Nampa-AP

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