Nicaragua's military is developing an eco-battalion that will protect the country's two largest natural reserves, according to Orland Talavera, the military's director of civil affairs.

Talavera told The Nica Times that a total $6 million in aid from Finland, Norway and Denmark will go toward training and deploying the battalion, which will protect the Bosawas biosphere reserve in northern Nicaragua bordering Honduras, and Indio Maiz biological reserve in the south, which borders Costa Rica.

While Bosawas has suffered from massive forest fires in recent dry months, Indio Maiz faces rampant deforestation and forest fires associated with illegal settlements inside the reserve.

The “ecological battalion,” which will include as many as 700 Nicaraguan soldiers, will likely be deployed before the end of the year, he said.