forever
programme
Seeking about the balance between economic production
and the conservation of the wetlands, the actions carried
out by WWF-Brazil in the Upper Paraguay River Basin have
a transboundary perspective and are done in an articulated manner with WWF-Bolivia. The organization proposes,
trough an integrated vision, alternatives that make posible
to ally the sustainable development of the region and the
conservation of this worthy natural heritage, which is the
Pantanal Wetland.
Integrated conservation vision
To achieve this proposal, WWF-Brazil, though Pantanal Forever
Programme, keeps a permanent dialogue with the business sector seeking to influence farmers and businessmen
to adopt environmentally sound practices. The strategies
implemented by WWF-Brazil in Pantanal include fostering
scientific studies and research, as well as mobilization and
education to create sustainable societies.
In spite of the conservation initiatives and the awareness
built among some of the rural landowners, through the creation of private natural reserves (known by the Portuguese
acronym RPPNs), deforestation and predatory exploitation
of the natural resources are still critical problems. Other
social-economic models are needed to harmonize conservation and land use, together with the development of specific
environmental legislation, taking into account and protecting
the region’s unique characteristics.
Protected areas
Natural resources management
WWF-Brazil supports
research activities with an
integrated and systemic
vision. The collaboration
with the Hydrology Research
Institute at the Rio Grande
do Sul Federal University
made it possible to develop
the first water balance in the
wetland’s drainage area. This
information will enable better
decision making in order to
protect the most important
natural resource in the
region: water.
To ensure the success in
protecting the Pantanal biome,
WWF-Brazil encourages land
owners to create private natural
reserves (known in Brazil by the
Portuguese acronym RPPNs).1
With the support of Pantanal
Forever Program and local
partner organizations such
as Repams (the Mato
Grosso do Sul RPPN Owners
Association), land owners are
getting organized and develop
activities and projects in their
private reserves. Such work
generates results, such as data
systematization, legislation
and tips published in the RPPN
Guide.
Species conservation
1
RPPNs are conservation areas located
in private property. The decision
to protect the natural resources and
landscape is taken by the land owner
and there is no land expropriation
involved. Once a RPPN is created
it is forever. To become a RPPN, the
area must be of relevant importance
due to its biodiversity, landscape or
environmental characteristics, thus
justifying its restoration.
2
Brazilian biodiversity2 is a
valuable resource and a
huge natural, cultural and
economic national heritage.
The destruction of the natural
cover has considerably
contributed to put species
at risk. Even though the
Pantanal is acknowledged
by the United Nations as
a World Natural Heritage
Site, the disappearance of
natural habitat, together with
predatory hunting and pollution,
is speeding up the biome’s
degradation process.
Pantanal - or the Kingdom of Waters shelters 263 fish species, 122 mammals,
93 reptiles, 656 birds and 1,032
butterflies.
To strengthen the strategic
action for the region’s biodiversity
conservation, WWF-Brazil has
supported the research and
activities of the Blue Macaw Project
since 1999. The work consists of
monitoring, restoring and managing
both natural and artificial nests, as
well as in the follow up observing the
development of the macaw babies
and the birds’ breeding season. This
project is carried out by the Blue
Macaw Institute and it also promotes
environmental education activities
for local communities. Those actions
are succeeding and restoring the
population of blue macaws3.
3
The blue macaw is a symbol of Brazil and
yet it still appears in the National List of
Brazilian Fauna Species Threatened with
Extinction. The traffic of wild animals ought
to be denounced with a call to the Green
Line - dial 0800 618080.
A new partnership with PróCarnívoros (Neo tropical Carnivore
Conservation Institute) began.
This NGO develops field work and
studies on the behavior of Brazilian
felines, such as the spotted jaguar
in the Pantanal. The project is
funded by the Agriculture, Nature
and Food Quality Department,
which is linked to The Netherlands
Embassy in Brazil. A balance is
sought between cattle ranching
activities and the conservation of
natural spaces which are viable
for the survival of jaguars and
other wild animals, on the basis
of scientific research and through
encouraging the adoption of
sustainable production practices.
Working together with
a network of partners4,
WWF-Brazil ecourage and
forster certified organic
beef production and tries
to influence all links in the
organic beef production
chain for the adoption of
environmentally sound
practices. The object is to
provide viable alternatives
to conciliate food production
and the conservation of
regional biodiversity, giving
the world an example of
rational use of the wetlands.
4
The model involves cattle
ranchers, certifiers, business
sectors, governmental
and non-governmental
organizations and researchers.
Among them, we have the
ABPO (Portuguese
acronym for the Brazilian
Organic Beef Association),
ASPRANOR (Organic Meat
Production Association),
Instituto Biodinâmico
(certifier of organic and
biodynamic agriculture and
plant extractive products), as
well as Embrapa (the official
Brazilian agriculture research
agency).
Sustainable Societies
Sustainable Development + Enhancement of Cultural Identity
Certified Organic Beef
5
A group of Pantanal women
discovered a new source of
income in fish leather. Fish
scales, bones and skin used
to be disposed of as garbage.
Now they are used for arts and
crafts. The women use those
materials to make accessories5
which are commercialized in
fashion fairs in Brazil, as well as
in other countries5. Supported
by WWF-Brazil, this activity
also reflects a concern with
environmental conservation and
the recycling of materials.
Pantanal women got together and
created three organizations: Arpeixe, Amor-Peixe and Art-Peixe.
Holistic teaching, based on
local reality and awareness
building, is the education model
for the Escolas Pantaneiras
(Wetlands’ Schools). They are
the result of an initiative by
the municipal government of
Aquidauana, in the state of
Mato Grosso do Sul, with the
support of WWF-Brazil and local
farmers. In class, students are
encouraged to think about the
impacts and alterations made
on nature by mankind and
which are interfering in their
environment - such as forest
fires, deforestation, inadequate
use of soil and water, and the
growth of charcoal production.
Students are lodged in farms
involved in the field project.
Dormitories and five meals
a day are provided for the
students, who attend classes
which contemplate the
official school curriculum plus
environmental education and
the Wetland’s art and culture6.
Responsible Tourism
6
Pantanal, the wetlands
located in the heart of South
America, is known worldwide
for its scenic beauty and rich
biodiversity. WWF-Brazil
promotes responsible tourism
in the Pantanal and encourages
best practices in the region,
enhancing the environment
and local traditions, to generate
benefits and opportunities for
local communities.
Local dwellers also become
masters and teach the Pantanal
traditions and flavors.
Upper Paraguay River Basin Map
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Sepo
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da Serra
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MATO GROSSO
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R iv
Barão de
Melgaço
Cáceres
Lo
São
San Matias
Piq
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Jau
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Riv
CUIABÁ
ure
Itiquira River
iver
rentes River
Cor
BOLIVIA
Piq
ri R
iver
im
ro Riv
er
da
uan
a Riv
er
Neg
Ri
ver
Corumbá
Taquari River
Coxim
Rio Verde de
Mato Grosso
Puerto Quijarro
iver
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Co
a
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Ta
uiri R
Aqui
Miranda
n
ira
M
Aquidauana
CAMPO GRANDE
d
r
a Rive
er
Paraguay Riv
MATO GROSSO
DO SUL
Bonito
Porto Murtinho
Apa River
PARAGUAY
LOCATION
State boundary
International boundary
THREATS
OPPORTUNITIES
Hydrographic basin
Protected area
Pantanal biome
Private
reserve (RPPN)
State capital
River
Municipal seat
Water sources
feeding the Pantanal
WWF office
Certified organic
beef production
Blue Macaw Project
Social-economic
development
Jaguar Project
Environmental
education
. Deforestation
. Predatory agriculture and
cattle ranching
. Infrastructure works
Steel Plant Pole
Photo / WWF-Brazil/A.Camboni / R.Isotti-Homo Ambien
forever
WWF-Brazil is a Brazilian nongovernmental organization devoted
to nature conservation with the object
of harmonizing human activity and
biodiversity conservation and promoting
the rational use of natural resources, for
the benefit of present citizens and future
generations.
WWF-Brazil Headquarters
SHIS EQ QL 6/8 Conjunto E
CEP 71620-430 Brasília, DF Brazil
Tel (+55) 61-3664 7400
Fax (+55) 61-3664 7474
E-mail: [email protected]
www.wwf.org.br
Pantanal regional office
Rua 13 de Maio, 2500, sala 108 - Centro
CEP 79002-356 Campo Grande, MS Brazil
Tel (+55) 67-3325 0087