There's been a lot of angst about deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. Various dark siders have picked out one culprit or another to blame, but the issue is larger and more structural. That may change.

The government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in an attempt to create Brazil’s first coherent, effective forest policy, is to begin auctioning off timber rights to large tracts of the rain forest. The winning bidders will not have title to the land or the right to exploit resources other than timber, and the government says they will be closely monitored and will pay a royalty on their activities. . .

On paper and in principle, said Stephan Schwartzman, an Amazon specialist at Environmental Defense in Washington, “I think everyone agrees that this system is an improvement over the current situation, which is totally out of control.”

But in the end, he added, “everything is going to depend on how it is done and whether the financial and human resources are there to make it work.”

The assumption is that by having a comprehensive system that allows use of the forests there will be less poaching and illegal use. Those who seek total protection aren't pleased, but they aren't pleased at present either. There is political conflict.

Though the environmental movement was one of the founding constituencies of Mr. da Silva’s Workers’ Party, he made it clear after being re-elected to another four year term that his main goal was to get the Brazilian economy growing at 5 percent a year.

In November, he complained of “all the obstacles I have with the environment” and with “the Indian question,” which he said were hindering Brazil’s development.

But the proposal’s supporters dismiss criticisms as unfounded. Jorge Viana, who is a member of Mr. da Silva’s party and was governor of the Amazon state of Acre until Jan. 1, contends that “this is one of the most important initiatives that Brazil has ever adopted in the Amazon precisely because you are bringing the forest under state control, not privatizing it.”

“This is a battle Brazil has to win,” he added. “There’s only one way to save the forest, and that is by using it, responsibly and rationally.”

Too true. Use it or lose it is the best that can be hoped for. The alternative is use it and lose it. Doubters note that the resources to monitor forest use don't exist. There is insufficient state personnel and systems to do it, and local residents not only lack resources, they lack the habit of confronting power.

I see an opportunity for for-profit social purpose enterprises. If the new philanthropists we have heard about in recent years - those with huge endowments and a modern attitude - are looking for a way to benefit the planet as a whole as well as some very needy people then here's a good one. Go into the lumber business in the Amazon, and do it right.