Defence Minister Nelson Jobim said the government will increase the number of troops in the Amazon from 17,000 to 30,000 and build 28 new forts on Indian land and conservation areas of the world’s largest rain forest.

According to the newspaper report the project is an initiative from President Lula da Silva, which besides increasing presence and patrolling it is geared to change the focus from “live frontiers” to “military vigilance cells”, which means military staff will move into the area with their families.

There’s no fixed timetable for the project, but defence sources said it’s a nine year plan which will demand an investment in the range of 500 million US dollars. Existing barracks will also be improved and another 60 million USD has been earmarked.

Brazil shares the huge Amazon basin, six million square kilometres, with eight other South American countries: Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Surinam, Venezuela and French Overseas Territory Guyana.

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