One of the hot topics in Brazil this week is the case of Swedish millionaire Johan Eliasch. In 2007, he purchased 1,600 square kilometers of the Amazon rainforest from an American logging company in order to create a protected area. His NGO, Cool Earth, “sells” half acres to those concerned with the environment, promising to protect the land and do social development projects for the inhabitants of the area.

But now Eliasch is under scrutiny from the Brazilian government and media, who accuse him of encroaching on military and government-protected lands and failing to follow through with the promised social projects. Also, 1000 logging workers lost their jobs when he bought the land, causing an uproar amongst local communities.

The Brazilian government has already been suspicious of foreigners and foreign NGOs in the Amazon, accusing some of biopiracy. Last year, a Dutch scientist was even arrested on these suspicions.

To see Fantastico’s coverage of the controversy and an interview with Eliasch, click here.