Ideflor-Bio assists the City Hall of Bujaru in creating its 1st municipal conservation unit

A technical team from the Biodiversity Management Directorate (DGBio) of the Institute of Forest Development and Biodiversity (Ideflor-Bio) has begun technical studies for the creation of the first municipal conservation unit in Bujaru, in the northeastern region of Pará. The surveys are being conducted with the support of the Municipal Secretary of the Environment in the Bom Intento territory, an area considered strategic for preservation. The initiative marks an important step towards strengthening environmental management in the municipality and expanding conservation areas in the state.

According to the municipal secretary of the Environment, Leuda Coelho, the action arises from a partnership that unites efforts from local and state public authorities. “The City Hall of Bujaru, through its Secretary of the Environment, together with Ideflor-Bio, is here to create the nature conservation unit of our Bom Intento,” she stated. The project aims to ensure the preservation of relevant green areas for biodiversity, as well as to secure socio-environmental benefits for the people of Bujaru.

The work involves diagnostics of the physical, biotic, and social environment, which are essential to determine the most appropriate category for the future unit. Ideflor-Bio environmental analyst Bruno Martinez emphasized that the team is committed to providing a robust scientific basis to support the proposal. “We are working here conducting all the physical, biological, and social surveys to highlight the importance of the Bom Intento area. The idea is to think of new categories, such as a municipal grove or a municipal park. We have the full support of the city hall in carrying out the necessary diagnostics,” he explained.

The expectations of the local community have also been a determining factor in the process. Representatives from the environmental education sector of the municipality are closely monitoring the surveys and celebrate the initiative as a milestone. “It is a dream for us, Bujaruians, to see Bom Intento revitalized and preserved. With the creation of the nature conservation unit, we are having this opportunity,” they highlighted.

Legislation - The proposal from Bujaru is aligned with Law No. 766/2023, sanctioned by Governor Helder Barbalho, which established the State Policy and System of Conservation Units (Peuc/Seuc). The legal framework, built in partnership between the State Secretary of the Environment, Climate, and Sustainability (Semas) and Ideflor-Bio, introduced three unprecedented categories of protected areas in Pará: Municipal Groves, State Fishing Reserves, and Special Protection Rivers.

Municipal Groves have been encouraged as a low-cost and high-positive-impact alternative for municipalities that wish to expand urban green areas. Experiences are already underway in cities like Palestina do Pará and São João do Araguaia, while Xinguara has also expressed interest in adopting the model.

According to the president of Ideflor-Bio, Nilson Pinto, the movement of municipalities demonstrates the reach of the state environmental policy. “Our goal is to support municipalities in structuring these new Conservation Units, ensuring benefits for both nature and local communities. Municipal Groves represent an advance in environmental management, promoting accessible green spaces and contributing to urban sustainability,” he emphasized.

The formalization of the future conservation unit in Bujaru represents not only the protection of biodiversity but also the opening of a space for leisure, environmental education, and the appreciation of local identity. Furthermore, the process will depend on a municipal decree, following technical criteria and state guidelines. The technical support from Ideflor-Bio aims to ensure that the process is conducted efficiently and integrated into the state conservation network.