Brazilian army on enviro beat

BRASILIA – Brazil’s environment ministry is teaming up with the army to fight illegal deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.

Environment Minister Marina Silva signed a co-operation agreement on Tuesday with Defense Minister Jose Viegas Filho which will allow the army to fight against the destruction of the world’s largest remaining tropical wilderness. “The structure and experience of the armed forces in the region, together with the efforts of other ministries is essential to the success of operations,” Silva said at the signing ceremony.Under the agreement, the environment ministry will provide slightly more than US$3 million, to the defense ministry, which will provide 100 soldiers and 18 helicopters.It will also allow environmental protection agents access to military bases.- Nampa-AP”The structure and experience of the armed forces in the region, together with the efforts of other ministries is essential to the success of operations,” Silva said at the signing ceremony.Under the agreement, the environment ministry will provide slightly more than US$3 million, to the defense ministry, which will provide 100 soldiers and 18 helicopters.It will also allow environmental protection agents access to military bases.- Nampa-AP