Sao Paulo - The Amazon rainforest has been put seriously at risk by a $41 billion IMF economic rescue package which will be paid for by savagely cutting or ending flagship international aid projects designed to protect the forest and encourage sustainable development.
The massive G7 rainforest pilot programme, paid for with substantial contributions from seven countries and co-ordinated by the World Bank, has had next year's budget slashed by two-thirds by the Brazilian government. Other projects have been similarly reduced or scrapped. Critics say that it leaves the forest even less protected than before.
Although the $41 billion is donated to Brazil, it becomes part of the national budget, and therefore cutting it helps to achieve the needed budget surplus. Money will be saved, although the rainforest might be lost.
