BRASILIA -- A sustainable development project using a $2 million donation from a major U.S. hotel chain is being launched in Brazil's Amazon.

Officials from the state of Amazonas say the donation from the Maryland-based Marriott International Inc. will be used to help communities in the 1.2 million-acre Juma reserve develop alternative industries that won't require clearing the rain forest.

The money also will help bolster police efforts to stop the illegal clearing of land, most often carried out by soy farmers and cattle ranchers. And it will fund rain-forest preservation programs. The donation will be parceled out over four years.

The project -- launched Thursday -- will be managed by the newly created Amazonas Sustainable Foundation.

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