Brazil: Satellites To Monitor Deforestation

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Brazil is expanding satellite monitoring of deforestation to the entire nation.

Environment Minister Carlos Minc says that until now, such monitoring was a "one-note" song about the Amazon. He says other flora-rich areas such as the Patanal and the Atlantic rain forest will soon come under satellite protection.

Minc announced the measure Thursday at the World Economic Forum on Latin America in Rio de Janeiro.

Satellite coverage helps officials track deforestation and send more agents into areas at risk.

Officials hope the system will be fully functional within a year.

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