The National Forest of Purus and the National Forest of Mapiá- Inauiní were
created in jungle 6th , 1988 and August 14th, 1989 respectively.
Both contiguous-forests occupy an area of approximately 560.000 hectares to be preserved
as National Environmental protected areas. At that time the agreement between the IBAMA (
Governmental Environment Agency) and the AMVCM ( Association of the village Céu do Mapiá
) was celebrated. The agreement established the responsibility and management of AMVCM
over both National Forests. The aims of AMVCM is to protect and its eco-systems and
develop sustainable production activities of the natural renewed resources in order to
guarantee a better for its people.
Few years later, The IBAMA wrote
an official report, mentioning that only 0,066% of the area was deforested, though most of
its opening areas were in sites already cleared before the settlement of the people of
Céu do Mapiá.
As it proved that AMVCM was able
to practice a sustainable management of the forest and watch over its conservation, The
village Céu do Mapiá extend its community experiences to other areas of the forest. Each
area was choose following its economical endowment. They are:
Farm of São Sebastião: located next to the
mouth of Mapiá river stream with the Purus river, the farm has 70 inhabitants and its
main economical activity is based on reforestation of oil producing species such as
Copaíba trees and Pupunha palm-trees, local agriculture, tropical fruits and a primitive
industrial productions of Brazilian nuts, dry bananas and banana flour. The dry bananas
have been sold to local and others markets in the South of Brazil.
The Community of Gregório de Melo: Situated
on the fertile banks of the Purus river, the community has 75 inhabitants engaged on the
agriculture of the lowland at the margin of the river. The community produces vegetables
and grains and also many different types of tropical fruits.
The Community of Trono do Sol: Located in the
margins of the Inuriã river stream, located at the extremely north area of the National
Forest of Mapiá-Inauní, 140 Km away from the Purus river. It is the most fertile land of
the National forest. Very rich in rubber trees and Brazilian nut trees and many other
extractive products with commercial values. Trono do Sol is an area of abundant fauna such
as "tracajás" (a are rare species of fresh water turtle).
"peixe-boi", and many other species of birds in process of extinction. This area
is reserved mainly for extractive activities and conservation.
The Community of Cachoeira: Located on the banks of the river
stream of Mapiá, two hours away from the village, the community pretend to establish: a)
a self-sustainable nucleus in terms of housing, food supply, energy and economical basis,
using technologies and methods aimed specifically towards a full adaptations of the
Amazonian environment; b) Creation of an Institute of Research and Forestalls Extension;
c) Setting up a nursery, consisting of a seeding bank at tropical natives trees.
