Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has unveiled a sweeping plan for the Amazon rainforest that would open indigenous lands to mining -- a "dream" for the far-right leader, but a "nightmare" for environmentalists and tribal leaders.
Bolsonaro proposed a new bill Wednesday that would allow mining, farming and hydroelectric power projects on formerly protected land in the world's largest rainforest, saying: "I hope this dream... comes true."
He further stoked controversy by naming a former Evangelical missionary to head the government department responsible for protecting isolated indigenous groups in Brazil, which is home to at least 100 uncontacted tribes, more than any other country.
Together, the measures underlined the Brazilian president's committment to two key groups of supporters: conservative Evangelical Christians and agrobusiness.
