410 Latin America

Index:

–Jamaica: 1) Land slippage occurred in deforested areas, 2) A small tropical rainforest called the Capintero has 1,100 species of plants,
–Panama: 3) Theoretical studies of biodiversity and biogeography
–Venezuela: 4) Attorney General to appoint special prosecutor to address illegal logging charges
–Guyana: 5) He leads a poor country with a priceless resource
–Peru: 6) Home to over ten million living species

–Brazil: 7) New measures announced by government, 8) Brazil Makes Hollow Lazy Pledge 9) Latest deforestation stats, 10) 100 individuals who destroy the most, 11) Gov says they ‘temporarily’ suspended paving the Amazon hiway, 12) Atlantic rain forest, 13) Logging of the Amazon happens twice as fast these days, 14) Plant more trees than it loses? 15) Investing millions of dollars in a global tourism campaign, 16) Supreme Court defends Indians’ territory in landmark case, 17) They emphasize the role deforestation plays in poverty, conflict and increasing greenhouse gas emissions,

Articles:

Jamaica:

1) Conservator of Forests, Marilyn Headley, has pointed out that most land slippage as a result of Tropical Storm Gustav, occurred in deforested areas. “There was little damage to trees,” she said in an interview with JIS News. “There was mainly land slippage and damage to infrastructure, and areas with good tree cover had the least damage,” she pointed out adding that this was a reminder of the importance of maintaining trees and constantly re-planting them. “In observance of ‘National Tree planting Day’ on October 3,” she said “I am appealing to schools, community groups, NGOs and farmers, particularly in the hilly areas to collect the free seedlings available from the Forestry Department and plant these trees for crop shade or to restore cover on bare hillsides.” She explained that hills without sturdy tree cover could not sustain agriculture, as crops would always be lost in heavy rains. “Rich top soil is also washed to the sea,” she added. “For food security and rural development, keeping trees on our hills is therefore critical. Our theme this year ‘Deforested hillside.Downstream disaster,’ is in keeping with this concept,” Miss Headley noted. The Conservator added that often, farmers cleared lands far too much, removing all cover and then re-planting bananas and plantain for shade, which although quick growing, were easily lost in bad weather, resulting in crop and soil loss. Forest trees, she informed, provided shade after about five years in the ground and lasted up to 25 years or more. As such they became permanent shade as they fared better in storms or hurricanes. “When preparing land for farming every effort should be made to keep naturally occurring trees or inter-crop with temporary and permanent shade,” she advised. Since National Tree Planting Day, was initiated five years ago, there has been a significant increase in urban forests, Miss Headley reported. She is therefore encouraging more planting of forest trees in rural areas such as the eastern Blue Mountains and Yallahs River Watershed, which suffered severe damage during this Atlantic Hurricane Season. “Seedlings available from the Forestry Department this year are mahogany, silky oak, yucca, Spanish elm, niem, milkwood, cedar and other less known varieties that are suitable for watershed areas and inter-cropping. Riverbeds should also be re-planted,” she emphasised. “However, planting should be done at least 20 metres from the river to allow space for the river to expand after heavy rains,” she pointed out. http://www.jis.gov.jm/agriculture/html/20080929T170000-0500_16824_JIS_CITIZENS_URGED_TO_GROW_TREES_AS_BUFFER_AGAINST_STORMS.asp

Costa Rica:

2) The National Museum has just conducted the study of a small tropical rainforest called the Capintero, which is currently only registered under the status of “Protected Zone”, the lowest conservation level in the country. The 2,991 hectare property is located in the province of Cartago and was discovered to contain an astonishing 1,100 species of plants, 31 species of mammals, 187 species of birds and 174 species of butterflies. The National Museum’s Department of Natural History lead the extensive project, which took four years to complete. The paradox of this area is that it is situated in the Central Valley, the zone that is the least cared for in the country. The amount of flora and fauna housed discovered really came as a wonderful surprise. The region even contains areas of immense value, as the scientists discovered ancient vegetation dating up to 500 years old! It is now hoped that this rainforest, which turned out to be a jewel, will now be given a higher protection status. The forest shows an interesting variety of ancient trees, like the White Oak, which is a descendant of trees that used to inhabit the Central Valley a long, long time ago. To the joy of scientists and biologists, a large group of Epiphytes (parasite plants) was also discovered, including a large number of Orchids, Bromeliads, Lichens and Lianas among other flower species. Even more astonishing was the discovery of a species of plant that turns out to be unique in the whole country; the Peperomia Carpinterana. Indeed according to the researchers, The Carpintero may well be the only place in the world guarding this plant today. The animals are no less disappointing, with 187 species of birds, of which 13 are unique to Costa Rica and Panama and 40 are migratory. In particular, there appears to be a large number of Green Toucans. Out of the mammals, at least 16 species of bats were counted. Coyotes, two-toed sloth and armadillos are amongst the largest species found in the rainforest. A small type of wild cat, the Caucel, that is similar to an Ocelot, was apparently seen; the wild cats of Costa Rica are finding themselves at high risk and are rapidly becoming extinct so this comes as a positive surprise. Insects also are thriving in the area, with 142 species of butterflies and 32 species of moths were counted. This study was released at an important moment in which human development has surrounded this important biological zone and is threatening to further impede on the habitats of these diverse creatures and plant life. It needs stronger and better protection and it needs it now. Its status must be changed immediately if it is to survive. http://www.costaricapages.com/blog/costa-rican-wildlife/new-rainforest/1455
Panama:

3) UCLA researcher wins Kempe Award for tropical rainforest studies. The explanatory memorandum cites Stephen Hubbell”s important theoretical studies of biodiversity and biogeography, and his long-term research on the tropical rain forests in Panama. His work has a significant impact in better understanding the factors that maintain the diversity of tropical forest ecosystems and how these endangered ecosystems can best be preserved and managed. In early October, Professor Hubbell will arrive in Umeå to receive the Kempe Award. Furthermore, he will present two honorary lectures. On Monday 6 October at 3:00 pm, he will lecture on “Neutral Theory as a Tool for Understanding Ecological Complexity” in P-O Bäckströms Conference Hall, SLU. He will discuss the subject of “Neutrality, Niche, and the Dynamics of a Neotropical Tree Community” on Tuesday 7 October at 3:00 pm at Auditorium KB3B1, KBC Building, Umeå University. It is the eight occasions in which the Kempe award has been awarded. Ecology researchers at Umeå University and SLU (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) are jointly responsible for the selection of the award recipients. http://www.pressrelations.de/new/standard/result_main.cfm?pfach=1&n_firmanr_=117987&sector=pm&detail=1&r=340701&sid=&aktion=jour_pm&quelle=0

Venezuela:

4) Bolivar State Legislative Council (CLEB) councillor Juan Linares is highlighting the illegal deforestation of more than two thousand trees in the area of El Tigrito and La Broma in the Cedeno municipality of southeastern Bolivar State. Linares says the situation is very grave considering the multiplicity of complaints raised over illegal exploitation of lumber and forest resources and that in one particular case, he alleges that regional officials from the Ministry of the Environment (MinAmb) were implicit in delivering the wood in La Broma to the lumber exploiting companies. Linares says that as a result of his request that Environment (MinAmb) 3rd District Supervisor, Hugo Nunez, should immediately be dismissed for “culpably complacent attitudes” together with the former coordinator of the National Land Institute (INTI), Pier Damian Plancheta, and two beneficiaries of the MinAmb logging permits, Hermes Luces and Clayre Cervantes. The councilor says that charges against the accused have been “fully verified and presented in full chamber of the Legislature” which took the decision to dismiss and to file criminal and administrative charges for the crime of serious damage caused to the environment in the General Manuel Broma Cedeno municipality by the illegal deforestation of natural tree species by fraudulently obtaining permits, with the proven involvement of MinAmb officials.“The Legislative Council has asked the Attorney General of the Republic to appoint a special prosecutor to objectively address the charges.” Linares adds that he is certain that MinAmb-Bolivar has “openly and contrary to reason and logic failed to do its duty … the Attorney General of the Republic has been met with silence since they have favored the actions of environmental predators and timber smugglers … MinAmb Vice Minister Merlys Garcia must visit Bolivar State again to decide what is to be done with the lumber seized from organized crime activities (in her ministry) which have issued permits totally ignoring the decisions of this parliament and, based on this evidence, that they should be removed from office forthwith.” He says that previous complaints lodged with MinAmb had been sent to the accused who had manipulated their excuses. http://www.netnewspublisher.com/legislative-councilor-claims-illegal-deforestation-in-venezuela-achieved-by-fraudulently-obtained-permits/

Guyana:

5) Guyanese president Bharrat Jagdeo leads a poor country with a priceless resource: 40 million acres (16 million ha) of largely untouched rain forest. Logging firms are keen to cut it down, but Jagdeo, an economist and former Finance Minister, is seeking what he regards as a better business proposal: he wants international donors and investors to pay for the increasingly tangible benefits of keeping the rain forest intact. “If we’re serious about global warming and its consequences,” says Jagdeo, “then the market has to address all the sources of greenhouse emissions.” Deforestation is a major source, accounting for 20% of human-generated greenhouse gases. Still, Jagdeo raised eyebrows last year when he announced that Guyana would offer its entire rain forest, which covers 75% of the country’s territory, as a sustainable commodity. The idea is that public and private organizations would pay Guyana for the right to manage — and profit from — unscathed rain forests. They can sell the carbon credits on global markets, make money from ecotourism and pharmaceutical discoveries, and eventually create markets for “ecosystem services” such as rainfall generation and climate regulation. Jagdeo found his first taker this year when Canopy Capital, a London-based eco-finance firm, signed a deal to maintain Iwokrama, a 1,430-sq.-mi. (370,000-ha) rain-forest preserve. Studies suggest that such ventures could bring Guyana, one of South America’s poorest countries, almost $60 million a year, or 6% of its gross domestic product. But Guyana’s plan faces hurdles. Some critics consider it eco-blackmail to suggest that without market incentives poor nations will let loggers run amok. “They say, ‘Here we go again, another developing country looking for a free handout,’ ” says Jagdeo. “But this time we’ve got something to trade.” He adds that environmental treaties like the Kyoto Protocol reward countries for reducing deforestation, but not for being good rain-forest custodians all along, as Guyana has been. Jagdeo is confident that his concept will catch on as its dividends become more evident. Guyana needs the money to upgrade the 223 miles (360 km) of dykes along its low-lying Atlantic coast, where sea levels are rising due to global warming — a reminder that paying for intact rain forests now could avert greater costs later. http://spoonfeedin.blogspot.com/2008/09/personality-bharrat-jagdeo.html

Peru:

6) The Amazon in Peru is home to a diversity of life unequalled anywhere on Earth and it is this that makes it a paradise for nature lovers. The region is home to over ten million living species; including 2,000 species of fish, 1,200 birds and nearly 300 mammals – all contained within a region of incredible biological diversity, which brings with it a need to be preserved. For guests, the main tourist areas are the northern and southern jungles which share similar characteristics – with the main difference being the northern Amazon is based on the Amazon River itself – with the hub located at the Iquitos centre. Climates in both areas are tropical, with humid weather differentiated into two clearly differentiated seasons: the summer or dry season (from April to October each year) with sunny days and temperatures higher than 30C (86F); and the rainy season from November to March, with frequent heavy showers and large river flows. To get into the wilderness in the north of the jungle, visitors are advised to head straight for Peru’s largest natural reserve, Pacaya-Samiria. Remote and stunningly beautiful, the reserve is among the least visited in Peru. It has endless waterways – indeed, it is named after the two rivers which flow through it, Pacaya and Samiria – designed for riverboat cruises, as well as wetlands to make it a jungle hotspot for nature tourism. For guests, there is the potential of nature observation, camping, and fishing tours throughout the reserve, as well as a chance to explore the jungle which covers the area. Canopy walkways, throughout the region, also afford guests a chance to watch bird and animal life in the forest canopy at first or last light when the jungle comes alive, and from the highest possible level to vividly show the layers of Amazon eco-system. Jungle lodges – including those at Pacaya Samiria Amazon Lodge – allow guests to stay in the thick of the jungle or by the river for a unique and authentic experience and contribute to the local community and eco-tourism. For those looking for something a little more developed, Iquitos is the northern Amazon hub and chief town of Peru’s Amazon region. It is the capital of the Loreto Region and Maynas Province, but cannot be reached by road! Not just a jumping off point for the national park, the city – with a population of over 300,000 is home to Belén, which contains a large open air marker. On of the most interesting parts of the market is the “Pasaje Paquito” – an entire block of the market lined with local plant (and animal) medicines, stocking everything from copaiba to chuchuwasai. http://www.travelbite.co.uk/feature/south-and-central-america/peru/hidden-amazon-holiday-in-peru-$1241926.htm

Brazil:

7) Brazil has announced new measures designed to stem an accelerating assault on the Amazon’s rainforests – on the same day as the nation’s space agency released figures showing that 756km2 of Amazon forest were cleared in August, triple the 230km2 cleared in August 2007. http://www.panda.org/news_facts/newsroom/index.cfm?uNewsID=146702 In August alone, loggers and farm interests leveled 300 square miles of Amazon rainforest, the Brazilian government reports (via AP). That’s a land mass larger than greater Chicago — taken out in the span of a single month. It also represents a leap of 228 percent over August 2007’s destruction. Two observations: 1) Higher soy prices accelerate Amazon clearance (see Searchinger, et al, “Use of U.S. Croplands for Biofuels Increases Greenhouse Gases Through Emissions from Land-Use Change” [PDF].) And soy prices have been pushed up by U.S. and European biofuel mandates. 2) The Amazon rainforest anchors global climate stability by storing vast amounts of carbon; destroying it releases carbon and accelerates climate change. In an article in The New York Review of Books last year, Duke ecologist John Terborgh explains why piecemeal deforestation leads to feedback loops that could eventually destroy the rainforest wholesale. In the Amazon region, writes Terborgh, http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/9/30/81429/2592
8) Brazil Makes Hollow, Lazy Pledge to End Deforestation by 2015… Now Brazil’s government has made an even gutsier move– they say they will end deforestation in their country by 2015. The only problem: they don’t have any new plans for how to do it– only old ones that don’t really address the issue of protecting Amazon ecosystems. The proposal is part of Brazil’s new draft plan to combat climate change. It will soon go out for public review before being finalized. According to the BBC, the plan contains no specific goals for reducing emissions other than generalizations about methods. The primary means of ending deforestation by 2015 is to plant tree farms– an old idea. The plan also suggests that use of alternative energy and biofuels like ethanol will help reduce carbon emissions (something already happening in Brazil). While planting trees to replace those that are cut down is no doubt a positive step in the fight against global warming, it does little to protect ecosystems. Forests and many of the species they contain within need time to develop. Monocultures of trees will not be able to provide the diversity and hundreds of years some species need for life. When we consider the Amazon’s importance to world water supplies and climate patterns as well, then it becomes clear that planting trees alone will not solve the problem of deforestation. The Amazon has been a hot-spot for environmental news this year, and conflicting reports have emerged as to trends of deforestation in Brazil. Most likely it depends on how you interpret or manipulate the statistics. The Brazilian government has declared that deforestation is decreasing, while other sources indicate the opposite. Regardless of whether or not Brazil’s desire to end deforestation (or net deforestation if such distinctions are important) is being made wholeheartedly or with lazy obligation, it’s going to be tremendously challenging for Brazil to do so in seven years time. http://ecoworldly.com/2008/09/28/brazil-makes-hollow-lazy-pledge-to-end-deforestation-by-2015/

9) Just a few days after the launch, new figures released by the Brazilian National Research Institute say deforestation went up by 134% from July to August, and that the 756 kilometers lost represent 228% more than the figures from the same month last year. The annual accumulation in 2008 is 64% more than the 12 months last year. In front of this, could Brazil’s plan be a real solution to the problem? Keep reading to find out more. According to BBC Mundo and Abril, deforestation accounts for 75 to 80% of Brazilian emissions, and one of the main goals of this draft plan is to target this problem. Carlos Minc –who was named Environmental Minister after the tough Marina Silva resigned– said there will be an aggressive program to restore native forests and stronger measures against illegal wood. The reforestation program includes increasing the area of planted forest from 5.5 million hectares to 11 million by 2015, 2 million of which have to be native species and the rest forest for commercial use. According to Minc, if this is done, by 2015 the government would be planting more trees than the ones being cut down. Of course this statement was done a few days before the new figures for deforestation in the Amazon were released, which threw an alarming 134% monthly increase. http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/09/amazon-deforestation-new-figures-global-warming-brazil-plan-fight-adapt.php

10) The 100 individuals or companies most responsible for Amazon deforestation since 2005 were listed Monday by Brazilian Environment Minister Carlos Minc, and Brazil’s own land-reform agency took the top spot. The Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform was said to be culpable for the deforestation of 850 square miles of Amazon rainforest in the last three years. Everyone on the list, most of whom are Brazilian farmers and ranchers, will face criminal charges, according to Minc. Satellite data show that Amazon deforestation is up sharply after a few years of decline: At least 300 square miles of Amazon rainforest was destroyed in August 2008, compared to about 90 square miles in August 2007. Rising food prices have incentivized soy farmers and cattle ranchers to clear forested land, and with elections coming up, officials say mayors in the Amazon region are going easy on illegal loggers in hopes of gaining votes. It all makes for an uphill battle for Minc’s ambitious goal to end net Amazon deforestation entirely by 2015. http://www.grist.org

11) Brazil has temporarily suspended the paving of a major Amazon road pending demarcation of 13 neighboring protected areas, reports the Associated Press. Wednesday Environment minister Carlos Minc said the government will delay construction contracts for BR-319, a highway that connects Manaus (Amazonas) and Porto Velho (Rondonia), until 13 conservation areas are established. The road, which is nearly impassable during the rainy season, will be transformed into an all-weather highway to enable soy farmers and ranchers to get their products to markets faster and at a lower cost. Environmentalists fear the road improvements will drive logging and agricultural expansion in the region as has been the case with other infrastructure development projects in the country. “Deforestation and illegal logging accelerated in anticipation of highway paving,” wrote Dr. Philip Fearnside, a researcher at the Brazilian National Institute for Research in the Amazon (INPA), in reference to the paving of BR-163, a sister road in the Brazilian Amazon. “Paving would further speed forest loss in the area, as well as stimulate migration of land thieves (grileiros) to other frontiers.” Infrastructure improvement in the Brazilian Amazon is largely driven by development interests, namely industrial soy farmers and cattle ranchers, which account for more than 70 percent of forest clearing in the region. “Soy farmers are a very powerful political lobby that is pushing for major expansion of roads, highways, river-channelization projects, and other transportation that will criss-cross large expanses of the Amazon,” said William F. Laurance of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. “This infrastructure is acting like Pandora’s box—it is opening up the frontier to spontaneous, unplanned colonization and exploitation by ranchers, farmers, hunters, and illegal gold miners.” http://news.mongabay.com/2008/0926-amazon.html

12) The image of Brazil in your mind is likely to be that of the Amazonian rain forest. That means leaving out an entire section of the rainforest — the Atlantic rain forest. Many of the better known cities are on the Altantic coast of Brazil — Sao Paolo and Rio, for example. All these areas were on the coast, and were where the came in the 17th century. Later, expansion implied cutting the forest. As a result, some of the biggest cities in the world have simply sprung out of the rainforest. As far as the rainforest goes, however, that’s been bad news, because it’s been degraded. But an example in Brazil shows how exactly you can look to a green future, instead of lamenting the past. The Parque das Neblinas defines this movement. Originally, the area was planted with eucalyptus trees for pulp for a paper mill. Now, the unfilled eucalyptus trees stand as a minority amidst the rest of the vegetation, only 15 years old. In fact, the eucalyptus actually has become part of the ecology, offering creepers a trunk to climb on, and ants a highway to traverse. But that is even more impressive is the value of a new forest. In this Park, scientists have discovered a new species of ant and a fish that was once considered extinct. In India, we have a lesson to learn from Brazil. Recreate forests, even small patches of them. If you feel for planet Earth, write to bharati.earthwatch@gmail.com – http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=a756af68-6902-453f-914f-475f06cac294&&Headline=Lessons+from+a+young+forest

13) After three years of declining deforestation, the Amazon is being cut down more than twice as fast as it was last year, Brazilian officials reported today. Brazil’s Environment Minister Carlos Minc said upcoming elections are partly to blame, with mayors in the Amazon region turning a blind eye to illegal logging in hopes of gaining local votes. Non-governmental environmentalists blame the global spike in food prices for encouraging soy farmers and cattle ranchers to clear more land for crops and grazing. Elections no doubt play a part, but “the tendency of deforestation rising is deeply related to the fact that food prices are going up,” said Paulo Adario, who coordinates Greenpeace’s Amazon campaign. “When you have elections, the appetite of authorities to enforce laws is reduced,” Adario said. “But the federal government has to step in and do its job.” According to a report from Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research, Amazon deforestation jumped 228 per cent in August when compared to the same month last year. Some 756 square kilometres of Amazon were destroyed last month, compared to 230 square kilometres in August 2007. The institute, which uses satellite imagery to track illegal logging, said rainforest destruction is likely even worse than its figures show, since no information has been available for about 26 per cent of the Amazon which is covered by clouds. http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/508297

14) The plan, which will be published in full on Sept. 29 and put to public debate, calls on Brazil to plant more trees than it loses through logging and slash-and-burn agriculture by 2015, the ministry said in a statement on its Web site. “It’s a bold plan, with voluntary and sectoral targets that together represent the reduction by hundreds of millions of tons of carbon dioxide a year, be it through reducing waste, improving energy efficiency or the progressivereduction of deforestation and planting of native and commercial forests,” Environment Minister Carlos Minc said in the statement. As a developing country, Brazil isn’t subject to targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. The burning of forests in Brazil, southeast Asia and elsewhere worldwide to clear land for crops releases carbon locked in trees into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, the main gas blamed for global warming. Deforestation in Brazil in 2007, Latin America’s most populous nation, declined 18 percent from a year earlier, the country’s National Institute for Space Investigations said last month. A total of 11,532 square kilometers (4,454 square miles) of forest was cut down after a third year of declines, the agency said. More than half of Brazil’s greenhouse gas emissions stem from changes in land use, including deforestation, according to the most recent figures from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Brazil, Latin America’s largest economy, will invest in “aggressive” reforestation programs to accomplish its goals, the ministry said in yesterday’s statement. To that end, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has freed up 1 billion reais ($550 million) in funding over the next 12 years to protect forests, it said. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=a5wsn.Ck6rvo

15) Brazil is investing millions of dollars in a global tourism campaign that will promote the country’s attractions with the strapline ‘Brazil. Sensational!’ The UK is one of the target markets for the campaign, along with the US, Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, France. The work will also run in other countries in South America. The campaign, which will run until next June, shows the different experiences visitors to the country can enjoy, including adventure tourism, beaches, culture, archaeology, good food and the Amazon rainforest. It is being run under the direction of the Brazilian tourism body Embratur, which was founded in 2003. Luiz Barretto, Brazil’s minister of tourism, said: `The objective is to create higher demand for Brazilian destinations and support the products and services within those destinations. We want to share the beauty and wonders of Brazil with more tourists, encourage them to stay longer and become acquainted with new places.’ http://www.brandrepublic.com/News/848373/Brazil-rolls-global-tourism-campaign/

16) Key judge defends Indians’ territory in landmark case. Attempts by land-grabbing farmers to carve up an Indian reserve have received a setback, after one Supreme Court judge ruled that the move was illegal. The case is widely seen as crucial to the future of indigenous rights in Brazil. Read more » You can write to the Supreme Court urging them to uphold the Indians’ rights and sign an online petition. in a packed Supreme Court in Brazil, a key judge voted to uphold the demarcation of the indigenous territory Raposa-Serra do Sol. The case was adjourned at the request of another judge, and a final ruling is expected later this year. Raposa-Serra do Sol is seen as a test case for Indian rights in Brazil. The government of the state of Roraima and a group of powerful farmers have petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn the legal recognition of the territory, which is home to the Makuxi, Wapixana, Ingarikó, Taurepang and Patamona tribes. The Indians believe that if the recognition of their land is overturned, their way of life will be destroyed, and tribes all over Brazil could face similar attempts to reduce or annul their territories. The farmers have waged a campaign of violence against the Indians of Raposa-Serra do Sol since it was demarcated in 2005. bJudge Carlos Ayres Britto emphasised in his decision that the Brazilian Constitution guarantees Indian land rights, and that the Indians of Raposa-Serra do Sol are the original occupants of the territory. He also said that indigenous territories like Raposa-Serra do Sol which border other countries are not incompatible with national security, as the military have claimed. Brazil’s Supreme Court was packed with Indians and their supporters, who greeted Britto’s decision with delight. For the first time ever, an Indian addressed the Supreme Court’s eleven judges. Indigenous lawyer Joênia Batista de Carvalho from the Wapixana tribe told the court, ‘I do this work for love, because my family and my people need it. I’m defending my own land, to which I intend to return after this time spent in the city.’ Batista de Carvalho works for the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR). Brazil’s attorney general also spoke in favour of maintaining the demarcation of Raposa-Serra do Sol. http://www.survival-international.org/news/3662