Travellers interested in the environment are being urged to opt for Brazil holidays after the country was named one of the world's top destinations for eco-tourism.

In the April edition of National Geographic magazine, Brazil tops a list of green destinations thanks to efforts being made to protect both local wildlife and its habitat.

The publication cites environmental work which has been carried out in the Pantanal region – home of the world's largest wetlands.

In the past, this vast and beautiful area of land, with meandering rivers, was in danger of being destroyed by ranchers grazing cattle for the beef industry.

But the magazine revealed that many cattle stations have now begun protecting the area "with a sustainable approach to ranching".

Tourists and scientists are now welcomed to ranches in Pantanal where they can learn more about its biodiversity and take part in research projects to protect animals such as the jaguar and hyacinth macaw.

National Geographic recommends that travellers get stuck into the activities on offer in the region, advising them to "canoe on the caiman-packed rivers, horseback ride with Pantaneiros and nature walk in search of over 60 mammal and 380 bird species, including tapirs and wood ibis".

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