Mar 13, 2013

Managed by the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), the Amazon Fund ended 2012 with 36 approved projects, totaling R$ 439.8 million. Of that amount, some R$ 134.7 million is earmarked for efforts related to sustainable production activities, R$ 154.6 million for institutional development of environmental agencies, R$ 45.8 million for environmental and land-title regularization, while R$ 104.8 million is allocated for scientific and technological development.

In 2012, disbursements totaled R$ 71.2 million. With this result, since the beginning of its operation in 2009, the Amazon Fund has disbursed a total of R$ 142.1 million. Disbursements accompany physical and financial schedules of the projects supported, whose completion dates vary from one to five years.

Among the results, worthy of note is the creation of 135,000 square kilometers of new Conservation Units (CUs), land-title regularization of 800 rural properties, and sustainable production projects on 2,200 properties. Altogether, there are already 560,700 square kilometers of protected area under environmental management or strengthened territory control. In addition to this, R$ 62.7 million is earmarked for projects to combat forest fires and illegal burn-offs.

Throughout its implementation, projects supported by the Amazon Fund may enable up to 4,700 people to carry out sustainable economic activities and may remunerate 12,600 families for their environmental services provided. Approximately 7,000 indigenous people will also be benefited.

All projects are in keeping with the Amazon Fund‘s general aim to reduce deforestation with sustainable development. The efforts proposed will enable larger control and knowledge in addition to a more rational use of natural resources available in the Amazon region.