Brazil's Land and Landless Woes

"The Amazon rainforest is being destroyed at near record levels, according to new figures released by the Brazilian government. The environment ministry said 26,000 sq km of forest were chopped down in the 12 months prior to August 2004. The figure is the second highest on record, 6% higher than the previous 12 months. Deforestation was worst in the state of Mato Grosso where vast swathes of land have been cleared to grow crops. The loss of 26,000 sq km means almost a fifth of the entire Amazon has now been chopped down :" Amazon destruction accelerating (BBC News)

While this destruction is occuring, Brazil's landless squeeze government (BBC News) "The MST held the march to put pressure on the government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, from the left-leaning Workers' Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores, PT). "
The march from Goaias to Brasilia is to remind Presidnet Lula of his promises.
Read about the Matto Grosso and Amazonia.
Photo of a farm thanks to ClipArt.com. Browse through additional Rural Views of Brazil.