Environmental Conservation

The Araguaia Conservation Corridor for Biodiversity

Sponsor: Conservation International with USAID Funding

Location: Araguaia River region, Cantão State Park region, West - Tocantins State

Period: 2003 - ongoing

Description of the project: The Bananal Island region, between the states of Tocantins and Mato Grosso is one of the most important areas for endemic species in the Cerrado, the Brazilian Savannah. It has the largest flood plain within that environment. Due to the natural dynamic of cycles of flooding and drought and due to the high population and agricultural pressure, the regional biodiversity is under considerable threat. The project aims the establishment of a corridor for biodiversity in Bananal Island, in the State of Tocantins – Brazil. The following activities were mad in partnership with the Conservation International: mapping activities of the dynamic of the land occupation around Bananal Island; inventories of the local biodiversity with emphasis in endemic and endangered species; dialogue with state and federal agencies to assist in the implementation of conservation units and creation of local structure to support the sustainable development of the local communities, focusing in the dissemination of the social carbon concept and implement projects the show to local communities how to obtain benefits from activities for reducing carbon emissions in the atmosphere. This kind of activity already have been implemented and refined in five municipalities in Bananal Island : Pium, Cristalandia, Caseara, Lagoa da Confusão and Dueré, and all of them based on the Social Carbon Methodology.

The Conservation Areas Project

Sponsor: Investco S.A.

Location: Brazil, Central Tocantins – Miracema municipality (60 km north of Palmas) South-west Tocantins – Bananal Island – Araguaia National Park

Period: 1999-2002

Description of the project: Conservation units are to be set up to meet legal requirements to compensate for the environmental impact caused by the Luís Eduardo Magalhães hydroelectric power station, constructed by Investco consortium on the Tocantins river near the town of Lajeado. The project is one of a suite of environmental measures associated with the Lajeado dam and comprises following main actions:

Lajeado State Park: Acquisition of land for the Lajeado State Park; Distribution of resources for implementing the Emergency plan (construction of firebreaks); Implementation of infrastructure for Lajeado State Park (construction of fences, topographic survey, production of informative signs); Production of management plan; Acquisition of vehicles for enforcement activities.

Cantão State Park: Setting up infrastructure (acquisition of kits and vehicles for enforcement) Araguaia National Park: Strengthening of Araguaia National Park infrastructure and recruitment of 5 wardens; Reinforcement of environmental monitoring and inspection activities; Preparation of cartographic database; Improvement of infrastructure of the park headquarters (renovation of local office, acquisition of vehicles, boats, computers etc).