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Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay have launched a joint environmental protection plan for the Guarani Aquifer, the world's biggest subterranean water reservoir.
Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay have launched a joint environmental protection plan for the Guarani Aquifer, the world's biggest subterranean water reservoir, press reports here said Thursday.
The project was launched in the Brazilian city of Ribeirao Preto, the Sao Paulo province. It will take four years to implement the plan and need 26.7 million US dollars in financing from the World Wildlife Fund, said the report.
The Organization of American States (OAS) will be the executive agency in charge of the project and the World Bank will participate in channeling the resources.
With a total surface of 1.2 million square kilometers, 71 percent of the Guarani Aquifer lies in Brazil, 19 percent in Argentina, six percent in Paraguay and four percent in Uruguay.
The water of this aquifer is utilized by the countries for different uses, namely public and industrial water supply, irrigation, calefaction and leisure.
Because of its growing use, the countries decided to reach an agreement on handling the resource in an adequate way, without hampering supply.
"By launching the project and organizing a seminar on the Guarani Aquifer, we want to create awareness on the importance of this resource, which is utilized by eight Brazilian states," said Ana Saboia, Brazil's national coordinator for the project.
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