Lula of Brazil recognises six new native reserves

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has decreed six new indigenous reserves, banning mining and restricting commercial farming there. The lands, including a vast area of Amazon rainforest, cover about 620,000 hectares (1.5m acres). Indigenous leaders welcomed the move, but said more areas needed protection. Lula, who took office in January, has pledged to reverse policies of his far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, who promoted mining in indigenous lands. The new reserves are in central Brazil, as well as the country's north-east and south.

All mining is banned, and there are tighter rules for commercial farming and logging. Some indigenous leaders pointed out that his government had vowed to recognise 14 new territories. During his time in office, Bolsonaro made it his mission to push economic development in the Amazon, arguing that by mining in indigenous territories, Brazil could build more of its own potassium reserves.