Nature - (General)
Brazil is one of the richest countries in terms of diversity in nature
and types of eco-systems. Of course there is the immense Amazon with
it´s huge rivers and enormous jungle, still undiscovered
species
of flora and fauna as well as the biggest swamp areas with hundreds of
thousands of animals in the Pantanal. But there are also the unknown
and unique ecosystems of the so called Caatinga. A unique and only in
Brazil found type of landscape of half dry desert type half covered
with dry plants and fauna in the center of the states .. and ...
Then along the Atlantic coast there are still big reserves of
Mata Atlantica. A type of florest wchich has per square km the biggest
variation of flora found on this planet. A diversity of thousands and
thousands of different plants, trees, flowers and fruits with
many speciesof typical animals and birds.
There are the canyons and plateaus in Chapada Diamantina, Chapada dos
Guimarães and serras, mountains with jungle like Serra da
Bocaina, Serra ... etc.
Along the coast we find many rivers with mangrove, islands and
it´s own vegetation and wildlife.
Brazil is very active and rigorous in the protection of its nature. The
problem are the distances to protect. When nature protection officers
are controlling an area of thousands of square kilometers it is hard to
be everywhere because of the lack of money and equipment. Many
international wood companies from overseaas still prefer to pay low
prices for illegal cut wood than paying a higher price for re-planted
or ecologically correct cut wood.
The laws in Brazil are very severe and anyone caught with wood which
has not the official seal has got confiscated his truck, equipment and
everything and is going to jail immediately without any possibility for
discussion.
In general there is a very severe law that not one tree in any place
can be cut without punishment in jail immediately.
The official organization of the government for nature protection is
called IBAMA and they are very very serious and powerfull. Any illegal
action or denuntation is followed up immediately with back up of the
Federal Police.
Also the brazilian people themselves are very font of nature and most
have trees, fruits and plants in their garden or small farm. In the
weekends or hollidays they make trekkings in the reserves, form
ONG´s (non governamental organizations) for protection, learn
the
children at school how to plant trees, have many actions and programs
about ecology on tv. There are stimulating programs from the government
for pruivate people to turn florests and other original natural areas
like restinga etc. into private protected reserves: APA´s
These
Area´s of private proection are free of any taxes and other
advantages but need to stay untouched, unused and protected by the
owner.
A problem are the big landlords who still use small unemployed farmers
to burn down florests to get more land for free for cattle, soya
plantations. and speculation. Another treat are the illegal miners of
minerals and gemstones (especially diamond and gold) who enter the
indian reserves to start digging and destroying. Fortunately the
Federal Police helps the indians in their struggle to keep these often
very agressive and killing intruders out of the reserves.
Many indian tribes themselves are getting together to protect the
nature and their areas against devastation.
Some good examples you can find in the chapter Protection.
Some countries pointing to Brazil to protect the Amazon and forests
already cut a lot, or all the forests they had, still growing their
cities, traffic, asphalt and concrete roads using the last
little
bit of green they have. The Amazon might be the lung of the planet and
treasure of many already discovered and still to discover natural
medicines but of course all countries have first to protect their own
nature and plant more nature and forests themselves. Also stop the
importation and use of wood. Stop building more roads and houses
(asphalt, bricks and concrete is not nature). Let nature grow and take
over naturally everywhere so our next generation of children and .. can
live, breath and enjoy life too.
In every chapter on the menu you can find examples of the most found
species of animals, birds,plants,fish etc.)