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. 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. Integrated conservation vision 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.
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. Protected areas 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.
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. Species conservation Brazilian biodiversity 2 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. 2 Pantanal - or the Kingdom of Waters - shelters 263 fish species, 122 mammals, 93 reptiles, 656 birds and 1,032 butterflies.
3 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 macaws 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 Pró- Carnívoros (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.
Sustainable Development + Enhancement of Cultural Identity Certified Organic Beef Working together with a network of partners 4, 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 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 accessories 5 which are commercialized in fashion fairs in Brazil, as well as in other countries 5. 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 culture 6.
6Responsible Tourism 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 Sepotuba River Tangará da Serra Cuiaba River Manso River Cabaçal River CUIABÁ MATO GROSSO Jauru River San Matias Cáceres Barão de Melgaço São Lourenço River BOLIVIA Piquiri River Itiquira River Correntes River Piquiri River Taquari River Taquari River Coxim Coxim River Rio Verde de Mato Grosso Puerto Quijarro Corumbá Negro River Miranda Aquidauana Aquidauana River CAMPO GRANDE Miranda River Paraguay River Porto Murtinho Bonito MATO GROSSO DO SUL Apa River PARAGUAY LOCATION State boundary International boundary River Water sources feeding the Pantanal Hydrographic basin Pantanal biome State capital Municipal seat WWF office OPPORTUNITIES Protected area Private reserve (RPPN) Blue Macaw Project Jaguar Project Certified organic beef production Social-economic development Environmental education THREATS. Deforestation. Predatory agriculture and cattle ranching. Infrastructure works Steel Plant Pole
forever Photo / WWF-Brazil/A.Camboni / R.Isotti-Homo Ambien 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: panda@wwf.org.br 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