Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday defended the sustainable development of the Amazon Rainforest region.

"It is possible to grow, to develop, without destroying," he said.

Lula praised the recent fall in the deforestation figures in Brazil. According to the country's National Institute of Space Research, deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest region fell 47 percent in August compared with the same period last year, and totaled 265 square km.

The president also noted that preserving the nature does not mean that the Amazon Rainforest region will be left undeveloped. Instead, it is necessary to provide more ecologically correct means for the local population to live.

In addition, the president reaffirmed his defense of the Belo Monte hydroelectric power plant, which has been criticized by environmentalists due to its impact on the Xingu River region.