Amazon Rainforest to Go Online

The Brazilian government have proposed a move that would bring free internet access to native Indian tribes - in a bid to help protect the Amazon rainforest from illegal logging.

The initial aim is to provide satellite access to 150 isolated regions. It is widely felt that indigenous communities are the only protectors of the forest and therefore getting them online could be crucial in saving the rainforest from destruction.

Central government would provide the satellite internet access, but the sticking point is that it would be up to state and local governments to provide the necessary computers. Already thirteen areas have been highlighted by the the key environmental agencies for the scheme.

To date reactions have been mixed and it remains to be seen if it progresses past planning stages.