ISLAMABAD: President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has decreed six new indigenous reserves, prohibiting mining and limiting commercial farming.
The land, which includes a large amount of Amazon rainforest, covers around 620,000 hectares (1.5 million acres). Indigenous leaders applauded the move but stated that more places needed to be protected. Lula, who took office in January, has vowed to undo the policies of his far-right predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, who advocated for mining on indigenous territory.
Lula, who was president from 2003 to 2010, signed the demarcation declaration on Friday, the final day of a summit in Brasilia of indigenous people from throughout the country. The 77-year-old leader promised to the crowd that indigenous lands would be legalized. It is a time-consuming process because it must pass through several hands. He said he didn’t want any indigenous area to be left undefined during his administration. In a tweet, Lula called the decision “an important step.”
Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, a critical buffer in the worldwide fight against climate change, has increased alarmingly in recent years. The new reserves are located in central Brazil and the country’s northeast and south. The presidential directive gives indigenous people sole access to the reserves’ natural resources. All mining is prohibited, and commercial farming and logging are subject to stricter regulations.
While applauding Lula’s decision, some indigenous leaders noted that his administration had promised to recognize 14 new territories. During his presidency, Bolsonaro made it a priority to promote economic development in the Amazon. He repeatedly claimed that by mining in indigenous territory, Brazil, which is highly reliant on imported fertilizers, could increase its own potassium reserves. Some experts have questioned that argument.
