Law No. 11.428 on the use and protection of Atlantic Forest Biome.

This Law, consisting of 51 articles divided into six Titles, regulates the use and protection of Atlantic Forest Biome. It aims at achieving the sustainable development and the protection of biodiversity, human health, landscape, water resources and social stability. Particular attention is paid to the following principles: socio-environmental function of the property, inter-generational equity, prevention, precaution and polluter-pays. The Law regulates the legal regime of Atlantic Forest Biome, providing a classification of the existing vegetation. Moreover, it creates a Fund for the Restoration of the Atlantic Forest Biome and regulates economic incentives for forest protection measures. The protection and use of the Atlantic Forest Biome will be carried out under conditions that ensure: the maintenance and recovery of the biodiversity, vegetation, fauna and water regime of the Atlantic Forest Biome for present and future generations; the stimulation of research, the diffusion of technologies for sustainable management of vegetation and a public awareness about the need for ecosystem preservation; promotion of public and private activities compatible with maintaining the ecological balance; control of rural and urban areas in order to harmonize economic growth with ecological balance.