Description
The biome Cerrado (savannah) and Atlantic Forest are typical of the southern Serra do Espinhaço mountains, in Minas Gerais state. Rupestrian fields with plant endemism with 80% of the native evergreen flower species of Brazil and 40% of the endangered plant species in Minas Gerais can be found there.
In 2005, the area was classified as a conservation priority and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve due to its special biological importance, with occurrence of species restricted to unique areas or environments in Minas Gerais. Six parks have been created, encompassing community land, which are essential for income generation for local traditional communities, who depend on the collection of wildflowers and local cattle breeding.
The project’s overall objective is to conserve native biodiversity, forests and local Traditional Agricultural Systems of wildflower picking communities in the Serra do Espinhaço mountain range in Minas Gerais, through bio-economy strategies, gender and generational equity.
It will strengthen dynamic conservation in 6 communities in of the area, which are part of the only recognized FAO Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) in Brazil, located across 3 natural parks. It will focus on the effective implementation of the Dynamic Conservation Plan, a requirement to maintain the GIAHS title, the first and sole recognized GIAHS in Brazil.
Project objectives will be achieved through:
Diagnosis, training, articulation and exchange; legal protection and political incidence; implementation of social technologies, environmental conservation and restoration of soil, water, biodiversity and agroecological production, with technical monitoring; productive investments and access to commercialization channels; training for the use of technological and communication tools.
Activities will include the construction of community protocols for free, prior and informed consultation, the elaboration of biocultural protocols/community management plans, with a view to conserving biodiversity, promoting socio-cultural diversity, food security and income generation.
