Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest has slowed down in the past year. Between July 2008 and July 2009 7000 square kilometres of rainforest were cut down, 45 percent less than the previous year.

This is the lowest amount since figures on deforestation began 20 years ago.

Since a couple of years, Brazil has tried to prevent illegal felling, partly by declaring large parts of the Amazon protected areas.

President Luiz Inacia Lula da Silva’s government wants to reduce deforestation by 2020 to 80 percent of the average at the turn of the century.

Photo: Amazon rainforest - Flickr / leoffreitas