The effort to curb the deforestation of the Amazon was the main issue examined at the opening of The International Environmental Journalism Meeting in the northwestern Brazilian state of Acre on Thursday even as the area was shrouded in smoke from nearby forest fires.

The meeting attracted some 100 journalists and environmentalists from Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Bolivia, Colombia and Brazil and was formally launched on Thursday in the midst of the Amazon forest, attended by officials of Acre state and the federal government along with conference co-hosts, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The forest venue in the municipal district of Xapuri in Acre state is close to the border with Bolivia and was specially chosen because of its history of environmentalism. Local hero Chico Mendes pioneered efforts to bring about the sustainable use of the forest resources. Mendes, a native of the rubber-tapping community had aggressively and almost single-handedly initiated the fight against those intending to destroy the forest through unregulated harvesting, a price for which he paid with his life in December 1988. His struggle was depicted in the 1994 film, The Burning Season. Despite this, the burning of the forest goes on.

At that launching Xapuri Mayor, Julio Barbosa alluded to the ever-present cloud of smoke hanging over the province due to the continuous burning of forest in neighbouring state, Mato Grosso as well as in Bolivia.

According to Barbosa the situation was desperate as the cloud was so heavy that it resulted in breathing problems for persons in several communities.

He also spoke of efforts to protect the forest, initiated in the early days by about four to five journalists, who visited the area and published articles in the newspapers.

Carlos Vincente, Secretary to the Minister of the Environment, spoke briefly about the need to continue efforts to protect the forest while highlighting efforts by the ministry.

Food Safety Minister, Jose Graziano da Silva spoke about the strides made by current Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva in eradicating poverty and the protection of the environment. He recapped the tours by Lula prior to being elected.

Acre State Governor Jorge Viana recalled the struggles of Mendes, which he said had resulted in the strides made in promoting the sustainable use of the forest.

Various other speakers from the local community and the WWF highlighted efforts being made to curtail the mass de-forestation in the Amazon including incentive programmes involving families in the communities.

Thursday’s field trip also saw journalists becoming acquainted with the historic town of Xapuri, the home where Mendes carried on his struggle and where he also met his end.

During the indoor session held in the auditorium of the Pinheiro Hotel WWF-Brazil’s Amazon Programme Co-ordinator, Luis Meneses and President of Forest Steward-ship Council (FSC) Brazil’s Board of Directors and Independent Environmental Consultant, Dr Garo Batmanian, gave overviews on their organisation’s efforts at promoting sustainable use, marketing and certification of forest products.

The morning session also saw Air Force Brigadier (General) Ramon Borges Cardoso and Amazon Surveillance System Project Co-ordinator, Edgar Fagundes Filho among others highlight efforts being pursued to protect the Amazon forest reserves.

The conference held to coincide with Amazon Day was incidentally a holiday in Acre. It is intended to build journalists’ capacity to address major environmental themes relating specially to the Amazon region.

It is also intended to influence the agenda of the press in relation to environmental issues and approaches while improving access to information on environmental issues associated with the Amazon to ensure participation of all groups in conservation and sustainable development.

As part of the Amazon Day festivities a forest products fair is being held in Rio Branco to highlight local efforts aimed at sustainable use.