The elite soldiers protecting the Amazon rainforest
By Claire Press
BBC World Service, French Guiana
1 hour ago
Sergeant Vadim, 31, leads a recce of the forest looking for illegal gold miners
French Guiana, a small French overseas territory on the north-eastern coast of South America, is one of the most forested nations on the planet, but its precious ecosystem is under threat from illegal gold mining.
Sergeant Vadim raises his left hand bringing his regiment to a halt. His right hand remains firmly clasped around his rifle.
"Here you can see clearly the path of gold miners," he says, whilst pointing towards a faint track covered in leaves. "They were here three or four days ago carrying heavy goods."
Sgt Vadim is part of the French Foreign Legion - an elite infantry unit of the French army made up of mostly international recruits tasked with patrolling the dense rainforest.
More:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-48187766
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Environment and energy:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1127127306