The Protected Landscape Approach - Centre for Mediterranean ...

12. Protecting landscapes and seascapes: experience from coastal regions of Brazil
The forestry resources programme, which has generated the most complete inventory
of the ecological, economic and social aspects involved in the use of resources from the
Mata Atlantica forest. It has implemented the first programme for environmental certification
based on the international standards of the Forestry Stewardship Council; this
was then awarded to a native resource, the erva mate (Ilex parguariensis), which is used
in the preparation of mate tea and other products.
The eco-tourism programme, which has trained more than 200 young adults to work as
environmental monitors, as well as supporting the creation of various associations of
tourist guides or the suppliers of tourist lodgings, and promoting exchange programmes;
at present, this programme is collaborating with the elaboration of norms for certification
related to sustainable tourism in Brazil.
The water and forest programme, which integrates management policies with those for
conservation and the recovery of water and forestry resources in the Mata Atlantica.
The Annual Mata Atlantica Update, which unites and synthesizes quality information
about the biome and makes it accessible to the general public.
The public policy programme, which advocates the approval of laws and programmes
of interest to the Mata Atlantica and other relevant areas, has had various proposals
approved by the National Council for the Environment (CONAMA). Among these are
the creation of a Mata Atlantica Day (May 27); the creation of regulations for the
management of various native resources, including araucarias and the “palmito” (Euterpe
edulis), which is the source of palm hearts; and the establishment of a national policy for
the Mata Atlantica.
The international cooperation programme, which guarantees the participation of the
National Council of the Mata Atlantica Biosphere Reserve Programme in many
UNESCO working groups, on themes such as agro-biodiversity, emerging ecosystem
management, landscapes and linkages, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and
Quality Economy economic development.
In addition, the Mata Atlantica Biosphere Reserve has had notable success in obtaining large
international contributions for the protection of the Mata Atlantica from various sources
(World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, the German KfW cooperation bank, etc.), as
well as in the recognition of World Heritage Sites in this biome. This biosphere reserve has also
made a significant contribution to the cause of environmental education in Brazil through its
publications (books, reports, and technical texts), as well as the dissemination of materials such
as videos and posters.
The Mata Atlantica Biosphere Reserve has become one of the main instruments for the
conservation of the Mata Atlantica biome, and its success has paved the way for the establishment
of other biosphere reserves in Brazil. It has provided the experience needed to develop a
“Brazilian biosphere reserve model,” and to develop national policy regarding the MaB
programme in Brazil. It is therefore contributing significantly to the conservation and sustainable
development of critical areas in the country, as well as to an increase in international
cooperation within the MaB programme.
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