Lula advocates for sustainable tourism, bioeconomy in forest areas
During an event to mark World Environment Day at the Planalto Presidential Palace on Wednesday (Jun. 5), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated that developing environmental tourism and the bioeconomy is crucial for preserving forests and supporting the economies of states with forest reserves.
"We have immense wealth, but we don't have a tourism development policy for visiting our forests. We've established many reserves here. Now, it's important that we also consider the development of these states,” he said.
During the event, several decrees were signed, including those creating conservation units in the states of Amazonas and Bahia. Additionally, the National Bioeconomy Strategy was instituted, which includes the preparation of the National Bioeconomy Development Plan.
Lula criticized those who oppose the demarcation of environmental reserves, stating, There are many people who get upset when we issue a decree like this, believing it would be better to bring out the chainsaws and clear this forest to plant anything. Today, it is clear that maintaining a standing forest, well cared for, can be just as profitable for the state and for the people who live in the forest as any other investment,” he said, advocating for tourism as a viable option.
“We could transform the wealth that humanity possesses today into something extraordinary, enabling the economic development of the northern states of the country. They do not wish to remain extractivists forever; they aim to sustain access to development and economic utilization, not solely in agricultural production or cattle breeding, but also in tourism,” he stated.
Mindful of the potential of Brazil's other biomes, the president urged society to prioritize environmental preservation.
"The environmental issue is a call to responsibility for human beings, considered the most intelligent of all animal species on the planet, urging them not to destroy their homes, their vessels, the air they breathe, or the water they drink," he noted.
