Regulation of development and deforestation in Amazonia

© Eugene S. Takle, 2002

A north-south highway through the heart of Amazonia is scheduled to be paved to improve the economic well-being of the region served by this major transportation artery. Nepstad et al (2002) report on efforts of local governments to enforce existing legislation and land-use planning in regions along the highway. They find that there is a trend in frontier governance toward increased capacity of municipal governments to employ environmental and development planning, a trend encouraged by the decentralized nature of Brazilian government that gives municipalities more responsibility. They conclude that, while significant impediments remain, there is strong evidence of growing political will in Brazil to manage the many natural resources of Amazonia.

Reference

Nepstad, D., D. McGrath, A. Alencar, A. C. Barros, G. Carvalho, M. Santilli, and M. del C. Vera Diaz, 2002: Frontier governance in Amazonia. Science, 295, 629-631.