Brazil Enacts National Policy to Restore Caatinga Vegetation, Combating Desertification
Brazil has enacted a new law establishing a national program to combat desertification and restore the Caatinga biome, with focus on sustainable environmental management and community involvement.
- • Law 15.430 establishes the National Policy for Recovery of Caatinga Vegetation.
- • Caatinga covers nearly 11% of Brazil and is prone to desertification.
- • Policy promotes joint efforts among federal, state, local governments, and NGOs.
- • Key actions include combating desertification, mitigating drought, and preventing deforestation.
Key details
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has sanctioned Law 15.430, officially enacting the National Policy for the Recovery of Caatinga Vegetation. This legislation aims to restore and protect the Caatinga biome, which covers nearly 11% of Brazil's territory, predominantly across northeastern states, and is highly susceptible to desertification.
Established through Project Law 1.990/2024, the policy fosters collaboration among federal, state, and local governments as well as non-governmental organizations to promote sustainable resource management. The policy emphasizes combating desertification, mitigating drought effects, controlling deforestation, and restoring degraded areas through community involvement and training initiatives.
The National Policy provides a comprehensive framework for intergovernmental cooperation without creating an autonomous Caatinga Fund, after the Senate rejected such an amendment due to constitutional concerns. Senator Leila Barros highlighted that the law fully contains the necessary provisions for effective implementation.
This policy represents a significant step toward environmental recovery in one of Brazil's most vulnerable ecosystems, seeking to curb land degradation and promote sustainable development. It was published in the Diário Oficial da União and reflects a coordinated national effort to preserve the unique biodiversity of the Caatinga region.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
