Macacu Action Project Approved to Restore the Atlantic Forest in Cachoeiras de Macacu

The Macacu Action Project, from the Institute of Socioenvironmental Action, was selected by the Forests of Tomorrow Program, an initiative of the State Government of Rio de Janeiro led by the State Secretariat for the Environment and Sustainability (SEAS). The project aims to restore 50 hectares of the Atlantic Forest in strategic areas of micro-basins that make up the Guapi-Macacu basin, in the municipality of Cachoeiras de Macacu.

Objectives and Strategies

The project aims not only at environmental recovery, but also at strengthening the local forest restoration chain, with practical measures such as:

• Insertion into the formal market: Involvement of community members as collaborators of the technical team;

• Capacity building and training: Training of 40 local residents in nursery work and seed collection, essential skills for seedling production and seed supply;

• Rural Environmental Registry (CAR): Provision of the registration service for rural properties, helping in compliance with environmental requirements.

Impacts and Benefits

The restoration of the 50 hectares will be carried out over a period of 48 months and will bring significant benefits to the region, such as:

• Creation of a seed network to meet the restoration demand;

• Increased seedling production, strengthening local nursery work;

• Generation of economic alternatives for rural producers, increasing local income;

• Contribution to the environmental adequacy of rural properties, in accordance with state guidelines;

• Improvement of water security, benefiting municipalities in the V hydrographic region of Guanabara Bay.

The Ação Macacu Project is an important step towards preserving the Atlantic Forest and the socio-environmental development of Cachoeiras de Macacu, reinforcing the commitment to sustainability and the quality of life of local communities.