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SUMARY
26 Enviroment
More Sertão
32 Enviromental Alert Time Bomb The Cartographer
50 Esay
40 Tourism The Garden of Brazil Rich Chico Living Chico
48 It Happened
36 Culture
NOT EVERYTHING IS A BED OF ROSES
Exactly 20 years ago, in 2004, the federal government launched the first “São Francisco Revitalization Program.” Since then, other programs aimed at the environmental recovery of the Velho Chico have followed. But what does it actually mean to revitalize a river? According to the Aurélio Dictionary, revitalizing means giving more vitality or vigor, bringing life, reviving.
To understand what those involved in this great issue think, the theme of the communication and social mobilization campaign of the Committee for the São Francisco River Basin (CBHSF), we spoke with six people involved with the Velho Chico cause.
In addition, in the report “Revitalization, a history,” we investigate the present and past, tracing the timeline up to 2024. According to the president of the CBHSF, Maciel Oliveira, the current moment requires more action and more determination. Over the years, the CBHSF has supported and developed, from resources raised by water usage charges, a total of 66 projects contributing to the health of the São Francisco River. “The national water resources policy is stagnant, which is unacceptable. The next steps need to be decided, defined, and revitalization becomes our main flag,” Oliveira stated.
In the Green Pages, we interviewed the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, André de Paula. The topic is fish farming, essential for sustainable development and food security for the population—especially the riverside population. Today, about 20 million people live along the banks of the Velho Chico. Among the main activities along the river are electricity generation and agribusiness. In the report “Pros and Cons,” we analyze what should and shouldn’t be done to continue ensuring food and light in an increasingly adverse scenario. As seen in the report “More Sertão,” in two decades, Brazil gained about 350,000 square kilometers of Semi-Arid land.
What would the São Francisco River have been like before so much environmental degradation? Well, a German, born in 1797 in the city of Hanover, Henrique Halfeld, tells us in the report “The Cartographer.” From 1852 to 1854, he mapped the unknown river, creating a comprehensive map containing 30 sheets, along with a curious travel account.
Finally, a journey through the Serra do Cipó National Park, which the landscaper Burle Marx called “The Garden of Brazil.” In this blooming edition of CHICO, you will learn about some of the species that make up the botanical diversity of the Serra do Cipó National Park, which has been impressing specialists for centuries. Not everything is roses, but flowers, with their beauty, remind us that the fight for the preservation of nature has its rewards.
Happy Reading!
Photo: Bianca Aun
By: Hyld:a Cavalcanti
FISH ON THE PLATE
For the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the granting of water use from reservoirs for fish farming is a fundamental initiative for sustainable development and food security for the population. In this interview, he also talks to us about the water use grants for fish farming in the Itaparica Reservoir (BA), in the Submiddle São Francisco region.
Last year, after a meeting with the São Francisco River Basin Committee (CBHSF), the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MPA) advanced in the release of areas for aquaculture, including allocations in the Itaparica Reservoir (BA). According to Minister André de Paula, also president of the PSD of Pernambuco, the goal from now on is to sign between 20 and 30 new use contracts, with an estimated production of 23,000 tons of fish per year.
“This is a fundamental initiative for sustainable development, job and income generation, social inclusion, and, above all, food security for the Brazilian population,” said the minister.
However, for the minister, there are two essential points in this process. The first is that aquaculture is a crucial way to ensure economic and environmental sustainability, as well as a pillar in the fight against food insecurity. The second is the importance of both the entrepreneur and the fish producer monitoring water quality and sediment: “The potential of aquaculture is immense, but we always need to exercise care in its implementation.
Pictures: Pedro Vilela e Guilherme Martimon (MAPA)
In 2023, after members of the CBHSF requested the legalization of illegal fish farming operations located in the Submédio São Francisco, the Ministry took actions that resulted in the allocation of 12,000 hectares in the Itaparica Reservoir (BA). Is there any project or policy focused on aquaculture?
“We recognize the vitality of federal waters as a national strategic resource. The allocation of these waters for aquaculture is a fundamental initiative for sustainable development, job and income generation, social inclusion, and, above all, food security. In fact, in the past year, we have made significant progress in this area, with the release of areas for fish farming, including allocations in the Itaparica Reservoir (BA). These actions reflect our commitment not only to the regularization of existing activities but also to the responsible expansion of the sector.
The success of these initiatives depends on collaboration among various agencies, including the Brazilian Navy and the Secretariat of Federal Assets. In order to promote deregulation and expedite the allocation processes, the ministry has implemented measures to streamline the procedure and provide legal certainty to producers. The number of fish farms that will benefit from these policies is constantly being evaluated, aiming to maximize the benefits for society while ensuring the conservation of our water resources.”
What are the goals for regularizing these fish farms in irregular situations?
For 2024, approximately 200 new contracts. For the São Francisco River, we believe we will be able to sign between 20 and 30 new use concession contracts in 2024, with an estimated production of 23,000 tons of fish per year. It is important to emphasize that the regularization of use concessions also depends on approval from other agencies, such as the Navy and the Secretariat of the Patrimony of the Union (SPU).
How are you evaluating the progress of aquaculture and fishing activities in relation to water and environmental issues?
We believe in sustainable aquaculture. When it comes to reservoirs, each one has a carrying capacity. This carrying capacity exists to ensure that production does not cause environmental harm. The regularization of the activity ensures that production stays within the allowed limits, minimizing any environmental impact.
We have also formed partnerships to monitor the reservoirs and assess the impacts of the activity. However, it is important to emphasize that fish producers must also monitor the quality of water and sediment. The potential of aquaculture is immense, but we always need to be careful during its implementation. We are investing significantly in training and technical assistance programs, as well as supporting the regularization of the activity.
Does the ministry have or is it conducting any mapping of aquaculture activities on the São Francisco River?
The ministry maintains and constantly updates a database covering all applications for the concession of Union waters for aquaculture purposes, as well as the status of each process. This database is publicly accessible through an interactive map available on our website, which allows for precise visualization of the location of existing projects and those still requiring regularization.
We recognize the importance of unlocking unused carrying capacities for new aquaculture projects, always within a regulatory framework that ensures environmental protection and the sustainable use of water resources. For this reason, we are committed to working closely with producers to facilitate the regularization process.
Legalization not only benefits the environment and society as a whole but also provides producers with opportunities to access markets, financing, and new technologies.
Regarding the São Francisco river, what are the ministry’s projects?
Specifically regarding the São Francisco basin, a pioneering initiative can be highlighted in which the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, in collaboration with the Federal University of Alagoas and other key partners, launched a training project aimed at 300 aquaculture farmers in the Lower São Francisco, covering 10 municipalities across Alagoas and Sergipe.
This effort is part of the São Francisco Scientific Expedition, a multidisciplinary initiative encompassing environmental, health, and social aspects, involving researchers from various universities on a journey along the river. For aquaculture farmers, the project provides a unique opportunity for technical training, offering courses ranging from introductory aquaculture to advanced management techniques. In addition to training, participants will receive free technical assistance, fingerlings and feed for the first production cycle, and water quality monitoring kits, ensuring a solid start to their activities.
This initiative aims not only to develop the technical and operational capacity of local aquaculture farmers but also to boost the aquaculture sector as a whole in the Lower São Francisco region. Through these joint efforts, the project seeks to create a lasting positive impact on the local economy, environmental sustainability, and social well-being of riverside communities.
What public policies does the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture have in place to develop aquaculture and artisanal fishing in the coming years?
We launched Proaqui (National Program for Sustainable Aquaculture) through a decree that guides the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture’s actions related to aquaculture. A series of priority initiatives were developed, each generating partnerships, projects, and benefits for aquaculturists. These include promoting environmental and land regularization, generating and managing aquaculture data and information, fostering various aquaculture production chains, and
regulating and developing aquaculture in federal waters. Additionally, Proaqui encompasses actions to stimulate research, development, and innovation in the aquaculture sector; encourage best practices in aquaculture health, biosecurity, and animal welfare; attract public and private investments in aquaculture and aquaculture insurance; and promote communication and marketing within the sector. It also emphasizes stimulating the circular economy and bioeconomy, as well as developing the internal and external market’s competitiveness.
Initiatives will also be implemented to support certifications that add value to aquaculture products, strengthen family aquaculture and local production systems, encourage cooperatives and associations, enhance and value human resources in aquaculture, and develop technical assistance and aquaculture extension services.
Some of these actions have already resulted in efforts with the National Congress to include the exemption of fish feed taxes in the tax reform. This initiative aims to lower production costs and improve the livelihoods of producers. We believe that in 2024, many benefits will be reaped by producers and other stakeholders in the aquaculture production chain.
What do you think about the current development policy for fishing and aquaculture?
The development policy is essential for the growth of our sector. We must always understand the needs of aquaculturists, fishers, vessel owners, industrialists, merchants, researchers, and other representatives of civil society. It is not effective to offer public policies based solely on what we think is important. We need objective dialogue and a focus on deliverables. For this, we rely on our council, CONAPE (National Aquaculture and Fishing Council), reinstated in 2023, which aims to reconnect society with our policies. We also count on the Permanent Management Committees (CPGs) to further guide the direction of our actions.
And what about tilapia production in the São Francisco River? How is this farming, which has always drawn attention in the country, progressing?
According to data from the aquaculture bulletin on the use of federal waters for 2022, 24,549.37 tons of tilapia were produced in the São Francisco River basin, and this number is expected to increase in the coming years, especially with the regularization of new areas. The expansion of tilapia production results from the formalization of informal fish farms and the implementation of new ventures.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MPA) has been working on managing lease agreements and the carrying capacities of hydropower reservoirs in the waters of the São Francisco River, aiming to make new quotas available for cage farming.
The management of lease agreements is carried out by monitoring production data provided in the Annual Production Report (RAP) and conducting on-site inspections
of farming areas. How is the relationship between the ministry and the São Francisco River Basin Committee?
We have a close relationship with the São Francisco River Basin Committee. The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MPA) has held meetings with its representatives to discuss the regularization of water use concessions and the management of multiple uses of water. However, we always seek to strengthen this relationship, as the Committee plays a key role in the sustainable development of aquaculture.
In a government that talks so much about food security, what are the most concrete plans to put fish on the population’s table?
Brazil has immense potential for aquaculture production, and this production needs to increase to be present on the tables of those who need it. Fish is a noble, healthy meat, and we should encourage its consumption from childhood. Since last year, the MPA and the National Fund for Education Development (FNDE), linked to the Ministry of Education, have been preparing a joint initiative to include fish in school meals. This initiative will be crucial for creating the habit of consuming fish.
Another important action was the inclusion of fish in the new Brazilian basic food basket. Recently, specifically on March 7 of this year, the Ministry of Social Development (MDS) published Ordinance 966/24.
Additionally, a review of the regulatory framework is underway to modernize our fishing legislation and align with sustainable development. It is not easy. Challenges such as the size of the country, the need for compatible management infrastructure, and respect for the traditions and particularities of each region increase the level of difficulty. But I believe we are on the right track.
Many actions from ministries depend on resources defined by the General Budget of the Union (OGU), but several others can be included in already established programs. What programs can you mention as the most important from your ministry, applied to all areas, especially the São Francisco River Basin region?
Law No. 14,802, dated January 10, 2024, which established the Multiannual Plan (PPA 2024-2027), brought the strategic objective “Strengthen family farming, sustainable agribusiness, fishing, and aquaculture,” included in various programs of other ministries. It is a great advancement for aquaculture to be prominently featured in other ministries. We can cite programs such as Sustainable Livestock (Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock), Bioeconomy for a New Cycle of Prosperity (Ministry of the Environment), Family Farming and Agroecology (Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture), and many others.
REVITA LIZATION, A STORY
On the agenda since at least 2004, in successive federal government programs, the revitalization of the São Francisco River resurfaces as the major theme of 2024.
“Old Chico: Revitalize the river, preserve wealth”: the slogan of the communication and social mobilization campaign by the São Francisco River Basin Committee (CBHSF) sets the tone for 2024. This year, the goal is simple: to roll up our sleeves and drive the long-discussed revitalization of Old Chico, which has been part of various federal government programs since 2004. Over the years, CBHSF has supported and developed, using funds from water usage charges, a total of 66 projects that contribute to the health of the São Francisco River. However, according to the committee’s president, Maciel Oliveira, it is now urgent to shine a spotlight on the issue.
“The national water resources policy is stagnant, which is unacceptable. The next steps need to be decided, defined, and revitalization becomes our main flag. This country needs to treat water policy as a priority. We will face the challenges, we won’t stop, and we will continue to press the government,” he commented during the second plenary session of 2023 in Penedo, Alagoas. “In our last plenary in Belo Horizonte (MG), we discussed the revitalization of the São Francisco River. The Federal Court of Auditors recommended action to the federal government, and we went to Brasília to participate in meetings with the National Water Resources Council.”
The year 2024 began with action. In March, the Collegiate Board (Direc) held meetings in Brasília with various federal agencies and water resources management bodies, such as the National Water Agency (ANA), the São Francisco and Parnaíba Valleys Development Company (Codevasf), and the National Water Security Secretariat of the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development (MIDR). The majority of the meetings focused on presenting, by CBHSF, demands and partnership possibilities, as well as the allocation of resources for the revitalization of the São Francisco River Basin.
“We began to seek a strong articulation, especially at the beginning of the year, and we are in constant talks with Codevasf and various Ministries so we can expand the revitalization in the São Francisco River Basin,” Maciel pointed out.
By: Arthur de Viveiros, with Mariana Martins and Taíssa Dias
Pictures: Léo Boi e Taíssa Dias
DAY BY DAY
Indeed, revitalization is at the core of the Committee’s daily activities. On March 20th, for example, a webinar was held entirely dedicated to the discussion, with the participation of Maciel Oliveira, president of CBHSF, Marcus Vinícius Polignano, vice president of the Committee, and Thiago Campos, project manager at the Peixe Vivo Basin Agency, a delegated entity of CBHSF.
According to Thiago Campos, recognizing the watershed as a unit for planning and implementation has become essential, mobilizing key stakeholders, whether landowners, local governments, civil society organizations, or active public companies, as well as mitigating environmental liabilities, always guided by prior diagnosis and registration.
In the case of Revitalization or Water Production programs, Thiago emphasized that CBHSF has been working based on the prioritization and selection of key microbasins, local mobilization, registration, technical diagnosis, project development, collection of acceptance terms, implementation of interventions,
and subsequent monitoring and tracking with indicator measurement in the microbasin.
He also mentioned successful experiences, such as the hydroenvironmental project implemented in the Curituba River basin in Canindé de São Francisco (SE), one of the most waterscarce regions of the Brazilian Semi-arid. Completed in 2019, the project had an investment of approximately R$ 2.5 million from the Committee. Another notable action was the revitalization of urban springs in the Ribeirão Arrudas, carried out in 2018 in Belo Horizonte (MG), among other examples.
“Over the years, we have been refining our techniques, improving our processes, to try to achieve the long-desired revitalization. We must acknowledge the work of the Committees as architects of this revitalization process, given the challenge of undertaking actions in a watershed as extensive as the São Francisco River basin, which spans three different biomes,” commented Thiago.
PREHISTORY
A lot of water has already passed under the bridge of the São Francisco recovery. The first “São Francisco Revitalization Program” was officially launched back in 2004, with a projected completion in 2024. Following the start of the transposition project, it achieved some successes, such as the signing, in 2011, of the Petrolina Letter in partnership with CBHSF, a document establishing the priority axes for revitalization.
At the time, the program was created under the Ministry of the Environment (MMA), in partnership with 15 other ministries. Key partners included Codevasf, ANA, Ibama, ICMbio, Funasa/ MS, Federal Universities, and CBHSF. It was even included in the federal government’s multi-year planning for the following periods: 2004-2007, 2008-2011, and 2012-2015.
In 2016, however, it was replaced by another program, “Novo Chico.” At that time, the federal government committed to continuing sanitation and water supply works across the entire basin, representing
Membros da Diretoria Colegiada do CBHSF
o Secretário Nacional de Segurança Hídrica Giuseppe Serra Seca Vieira
an investment of R$1.162 billion to be spent between 2016 and 2019. A management committee was also created, integrating ministries, state governments, and CBHSF itself.
In 2021, the federal government launched yet another project: the Brazilian Waters Program, focused on revitalizing river basins, replacing “Novo Chico.” This time, 26 revitalization projects were selected for various river basins. One of the proposed actions was planting 100 million seedlings along the São Francisco, Parnaíba, Tocantins, and Taquari river basins. The program was to be coordinated by the Ministry of Regional Development (MDR), in partnership with other ministries, such as the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries.
Even so, representatives of CBHSF indicate that, throughout all these years and projects, federal efforts have never had the desired effect. During the March webinar, Marcus Vinícius Polignano, the current vice president of CBHSF, spoke on the matter. “When the Transposition process began in 2004, the promises were that nearly the same amount would be applied to revitalization, but this
has not materialized: the Transposition advanced, but the Revitalization did not follow.”
For Polignano, more involvement from public entities is necessary: “Even with the promises from various governments, we still see that the river suffers from silting, loss of water surface area, loss of riparian forests, and inadequate sanitation in many municipalities of the basin. In other words, we have a range of issues that still need to be addressed, and we don’t just need money, we need public policies from municipalities and states that are committed to this revitalization process.”
Maciel Oliveira agrees, though he emphasized the receptivity of federal managers during the new round of discussions held in Brasília at the beginning of the year: “We did this work on our own for a long time, the Committee did its part, but other environmental agencies did not follow us, which is why this coordination is necessary.” He continues, “When we established the water usage charge in the basin in 2010, we also conducted active searches, revising the Multi-Year Plans (PPA) of ministries, institutions, and state governments, looking for resources allocated to the basin.
We had resources for various areas, but when it came to revitalization or environmental requalification, in practice, there were very few resources. That’s why we invested the revenue from the charge and increasingly aligned our actions in the revitalization area, especially in the Semi-arid region.”
Given the extent of the São Francisco River and its basin, we need integration between the Committee, society, and the other levels of water management, whether federal, state, or municipal, so that we have actions and projects from various entities that truly integrate, that complement each other, that establish synergy, instead of dispersing resources. We need to move forward together, with a set of actions that address the major problems we still face along the basin,” emphasized Polignano.
Finally, Maciel commented that CBHSF sees the need for broad revitalization, not only environmental but also social. “We can’t just do environmental requalification; we also have to think about the people. We need to think about those who depend on these waters, so we must also think about and work toward a social revitalization.”
CBHSF discute parcerias em reunião na Codevasf
Revitalization and Transposition
Federal government actions, in terms of Revitalization:
Start of CBHSF activities, with the election of its first Board of Directors and approval of the internal regulations.
CBHSF actions, in terms of Revitalization: Timeline
Approval of the Ten-Year Water Resources Plan for the São Francisco River Basin. 2003 2004 2004 2007 2008
Inclusion of the Watershed Revitalization Program in the 2004-2007 PPA.
Creation of a specific department within the Ministry of the Environment for coordinating and executing revitalization actions.
New institutional arrangement for the Watershed Revitalization Program.
Selection of the first Hydro-environmental Project demands.
Selection of the second batch of Hydro-environmental Project demands. 2011 2012 2013 2018
Disclosure of the first Normative Deliberation (DN) to guide the selection of Hydro-environmental Project demands.
Federal government actions, in terms of Transposition:
Selection of the third batch of Environmental Requalification Project demands (new term for 'Hydro-environmental Projects').
Publication of the operational manual for Protection, Conservation, and Environmental Recovery Projects in the São Francisco River Basin. 2022
Approval of the Ten-Year Water Resources Plan for the São Francisco River Basin, including the transposition.
The bidding process for the project was published. 2004 2007 2008 2015 2017
The construction work begins, with an expected completion date in 2012.
The canals receive the first waters.
East Axis inaugurated.
2008 2009 2011 2016 2020
Establishment of thematic technical chambers for the Revitalization Program.
2022
CBHSF marks its 10 years of operation with the signing of the Petrolina Letter, which establishes priority axes for the revitalization of the basin.
2023
Selection of the fourth batch of Environmental Requalification Projects.
2017 2022
Completion of the works necessary for the waters to reach Rio Grande do Norte.
In total, since 2011, CBHSF has supported and developed 66 Environmental Requalification projects in the basin, focusing on the protection of springs and the improvement of water quality.
Launch of 'Novo Chico', an update of the Watershed Revitalization Program.
'Novo Chico' concluded; launch of the 'Águas Brasileiras' program.
Sources: Ministry of the Environment (MMA) portal; Presentation by Thiago Campos, project manager at the Peixe Vivo Agency, in the webinar ‘Practical Experiences of Revitalization in the São Francisco River Basin’; article by Carlos Madeiro, originally published on the ‘UOL’ portal.
By: Andrea Vitório
PERSPECTIVES FOR A NEW SÃO FRANCISCO
According to the Aurélio Dictionary, revitalization means to give more vitality or vigor, to bring life, to revive. Over the years, the word has been central to debates about the São Francisco River. We spoke with six people involved in the issues of the Old Chico to understand what this would truly mean in practice.
Illlustration: Albino Papa
Water Security
The Deputy Superintendent of Plans, Programs, and Projects at the National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency (ANA), Henrique Pinheiro Veiga, emphasizes that the São Francisco River basin is home to over 14 million people and spans seven federative units, making it strategic for Brazil. He argues that revitalization can be understood as a process aimed at improving the environmental conditions of the basin to contribute to water security, considering its four dimensions: human, economic, ecosystemic, and resilience.
“A healthy and balanced basin is essential to ensure quality of life for its population and provide the necessary conditions for socioeconomic development, not only for the region but for the entire country,” he stresses. He believes this outcome can be achieved through the implementation of various integrated actions, based on the main identified issues.
Access to Resources
Integrated Coordination
The Integration Manager of the Peixe Vivo Agency, a delegating entity of CBHSF, Rúbia Mansur , argues that revitalizing the São Francisco River means implementing planned and coordinated actions with various stakeholders, each within their area of expertise. The goal is to make the river increasingly alive, vigorous, and in the necessary condition to fulfill its integrative, social, ecological, economic, and cultural role in a sustainable manner.
“Revitalizing it is an essential prerogative for maintaining the basin’s interactions with nature, as well as its other uses in a balanced way, ensuring support for future generations who will depend on it,” she says. Among the necessary demands, she highlights: improving water quality and basic sanitation, environmental requalification, and the protection and sustainable use of resources, ensuring rational water exploitation (sustainable economies), environmental education, and socioeconomic development.
Today, Rúbia sees water scarcity, deforestation, siltation, conflicts over water use, and pollution. But for the future, she envisions a new Old Chico: “I see the São Francisco River as an example of integrated and sustainable management, where harmony between human development and environmental conservation is a reality.”
To achieve this, she recommends planning, monitoring, and a coordinated, planned effort involving the participation of various stakeholders such as governments, Basin Committees, water users, and civil society.
“For me, revitalizing the São Francisco is bringing life to the river, as close as possible to its natural condition. It’s important not only for maintaining water quality and aquatic biodiversity but also for revitalizing the lives of the people who depend on it to develop their activities,” emphasizes Larissa Cayres , from the Secretariat of Environment of the State of Bahia and a member of CBHSF, where she serves as the secretary of the Institutional and Legal Technical Chamber (CTIL) and coordinator of the Management Contract Monitoring Group (GACG).
For revitalization, she lists: investments in basic sanitation, especially in sewage systems, recovery of vegetation, riparian forests, and the springs of the São Francisco River. She also points out that the river faces issues related to water quality and the lack of adequate sewage systems in various municipalities that still release effluents into its channel.
In the future, she would like to see a São Francisco in its full vitality, with enough health to provide water in quantity and quality for all the basin’s uses. She acknowledges that the main difficulty is access to resources.
Planning
“Revitalization means bringing life back, renewing, restoring, or reviving something worn out, like the São Francisco, which has been gradually undergoing a process of decline in its potential,” says lawyer Marcelo Ribeiro, an expert in Environmental Law, a member of the Regional Consultative Chamber of the Lower São Francisco and the Institutional and Legal Technical Chamber (CTIL) of CBHSF.
For him, the revitalization of the Old Chico becomes more relevant when we consider the immense size of its basin. When asked about the river he would like to see in the future, he knows well: a river free of pollutants, alive, thriving, bringing well-being to its populations and the entire ecosystem.
In addition to integrated management, Marcelo speaks of the importance of short- to long-term planning to address, for example, the issues arising from climate change.
Hope
“Revitalizing is necessary
So we don’t witness its death
Old Chico is thirsty
Suffering its own fate
But the drops of hope
Make the river stronger”
This is how Elias da Silva , a member of CBHSF representing the Sustainable Development Association of Pernambuco, reacted to the topic. He is also a cordel poet and experiences the São Francisco River up close.
For Elias, revitalizing the São Francisco is about giving it strength, vitality, and ensuring that life continues. He stresses that this is especially important for those who have an umbilical relationship with the waters of the Old Chico, from which they draw water for drinking, quenching the thirst of animals, and promoting local development.
“The biggest revitalization action is to have all the municipalities in the basin sanitized. Next, we need to control our riparian forests and ensure that all the legal reserves are truly implemented, not just on paper,” he comments.
For revitalization, he lists priorities: sanitation plans, reforestation and replanting actions, land management and occupation plans, as well as integration, investment, and public policies.
For the future, he wants a São Francisco with peaceful navigation, water, and strength. He also hopes for the day when the riverside dwellers are truly heard about what is desired for the Old Chico.
Sanitation
Heloísa França , a member of the São Francisco River Basin Committee (CBHSF) and a representative of the Autonomous Basic Sanitation Service of Itabirito (SAAE Itabirito), prefers to replace the verb “revitalize” with “revive.” To drive this movement of bringing life back to the São Francisco, she lists as a priority the investment in basic sanitation, removing sewage from the river’s course, and recovering its riparian forest and native vegetation.
According to Heloísa, the Old Chico has been suffering from anthropogenic pressures and changes in its banks, bed, water availability, and quality since its source, impacting particularly the future generations. For the future, she only wishes good health for the São Francisco: more alive and with necessary actions implemented and in progress.
For what she calls the “great revitalization project,” resources would be needed, and simply charging for the use of water resources is not enough, which is why partnerships must be established. Another action would involve reducing defaulting payments and promoting funding for revitalization projects by those who use the water.
PROS AND CONS
CONS
By: Juciana Cavalcante
With around 20 million people living along the banks of the river of national integration, the Velho Chico supports two key activities for the country: food production and electricity generation. What should be done and what should not be done to continue ensuring food and electricity?
Pictures: Léo Boi and Bianca Aun
Matias Cardoso, the boundary of the Lagoa do Cajueiro State Park, MG.
In Agronomy
In 2023, agribusiness exports totaled US$ 166.55 billion, 4.8% more than in 2022, an increase of US$ 7.68 billion in food exports. In addition to grains, other products from the agricultural production chain also set records, totaling over US$ 1 billion in exports. The export of fruits, for example, increased by 5.9%. The sector employs 28.5 million people. With all this, agribusiness is the largest consumer of water resources from the São Francisco River.
According to the Pacto pelas Águas da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio São Francisco (Pacto das Águas), the main economic activity in the São Francisco River basin is agriculture. Currently, fruit production is growing rapidly. Irrigation is predominant, especially in the Submédio region, with the advancement of irrigated fruit farming. Over 60% of the mango exported comes from the São Francisco Valley, as well as other crops like grapes, the second-largest production, guava, coconut, pinha, acerola, bananas, and more recently, blueberries, apples, pears, and lemons.
“I believe that the Semi-arid region, especially the São Francisco Valley, has a lot to teach. Either we have a lot of heat or heavy rain floods. To survive, we are developing technologies that can be used in other regions and even other countries,” said agronomist Newton Shun Iti Matsumoto. “We have worked over the years, being able to adapt a temperate climate crop like grapes to the Tropical Semi-arid region, producing year-round. This requires technology, variety, fertilization, management, and nutrition to produce in tropical conditions.”
Regarding irrigation, Matsumoto said: “Localized irrigation with microsprinklers and drip systems has enabled, in the last 30 years, a 50% reduction in water use. We monitor soil moisture, calculating the needs of each plant.”
Many technologies are emerging in the fields surrounding the São Francisco River. Two additional examples are plasticulture and microbiological control. Plasticulture is used worldwide to warm crops, but in the Semi-arid region, special plastics with light diffusers prevent infrared rays from passing through and help cool the production. Microbiological control, on the other hand, uses natural organisms to reduce the incidence of pests and diseases, also reducing the use of chemicals. “These are technologies that have helped with sustainable production. What is still not possible in all locations due to lack of access to technical assistance and the dissemination of technologies,” added Matsumoto.
The crops extend both upstream and downstream. Near Petrolina, vast sugarcane plantations are located. In western Bahia, corn, beans, and other grains are grown. In the Jaíba and Pirapora irrigation perimeters in Minas Gerais, mangoes, bananas, and grapes are primarily cultivated. With the projected increase in the global population, reaching 9.8 billion people by 2050, agricultural production is expected to increase by 70%, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and by 2030, water usage will grow by 24% over current volumes.
The challenges facing the São Francisco River are many, especially in light of the immense environmental crisis.
According to meteorologist Humberto Barbosa, in addition to the São Francisco already losing around 50% of its water surface, there is a trend of reduced rainfall in the coming years. The Semi-arid region is also facing other phenomena, such as so-called rapid droughts, which last from one week to one month. “Brazil will have to adapt to climate issues, considering the vulnerability, soil degradation due to deforestation, overgrazing, charcoal production, and desertification. Agribusiness depends on the ecosystem to adapt crops to high temperatures, delving into species with resilience and resistance to drought. The phenomenon of rapid droughts causes soil moisture to dry faster,” said Humberto Barbosa.
For him, establishing cooperation among different actors will be crucial. “There needs to be cooperation between academia, public and private sectors. There are many interconnected sectors that need to know about adaptation measures, from large-scale food production to small farmers. Today, we already see many areas of the Agreste becoming drier, the Sertão turning arid, and this is complicated because it means desertification and degradation are expanding. We are all in the same boat.”
YES NO
Use of New Technologies
Reduction in Water Consumption
Increase in Production Without Expanding Planting Area
Increased Use of Microorganisms to Preserve Production and Soil
Difficulties in Accessing Technical Assistance for Small and Medium Producers
Water and Land Use Depletion
Adaptation to Climatic Extremes
Deforestation
Agricultural production in the Cerrado, Verdelândia, MG
In eletricity power
Not long ago, hydroelectric plants accounted for 70% of the energy consumed in the country. Today, they share the role with other renewable sources, making up about half of the generation, around 55%. Next are wind generation (14.8%) and biomass (8.4%). According to the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL), of the 200 GW reached this year, 84.25% come from renewable sources and 15.75% from non-renewable sources. Among the nonrenewable sources, the production is Natural Gas (9%), Oil (4%), Coal (1.75%), and Nuclear (1%).
In the São Francisco River basin, there are nine hydroelectric plants. The Paulo Afonso hydroelectric complex consists of the Paulo Afonso I, II, III, IV, and Apolônio Sales (Moxotó) plants, Sobradinho, Xingó, Itaparica (Luiz Gonzaga), and Três Marias. The installed capacity of the National Interconnected System (SIN) reached 212,659 MW in December 2023, with the Northeast subsystem contributing 25.8% of this total (54,813 MW). In addition to hydroelectric plants, renewable sources like wind and solar power stand out increasingly in the landscape, enabling even the export of energy. In 2023, the Northeast was responsible for 82.3% of all solar and wind energy produced in Brazil.
However, due to the effects of the climate emergency, which impact the quantity and intensity of rainfall, physicist and Energetics PhD from Université d’Aix-Marseille III, Heitor Scalambrini Costa, stresses: it is more urgent than ever to reduce dependence on hydroelectric plants. Professor Chang Hung Kiang, member of the Technical Chamber of Groundwater of the São Francisco River Basin Committee (CBHSF), also reminds that, besides optimizing water use and preventing waste, the major challenge is to accurately understand the water availability of river basins. To generate energy, the Velho Chico needs strength.
“To reach the necessary level of knowledge about water availability, it is essential to understand the impacts caused by climate change and to know the underground framework, that is, the geology and the hydrodynamic properties of the aquifers,” said Kiang. “The impacts of climate change, caused by global warming and deforestation (both local and in the Amazon), affect the quantity and distribution of rainfall, which directly feed surface water bodies and aquifers.
Hydrogeological knowledge of aquifers is essential for understanding underground water reserves, which, besides storing rainwater, ensure the continuous flow of rivers.”
In 2022, focusing on the preservation of the Urucuia and Cártisco aquifers, important contributors to the maintenance of the São Francisco River’s flow, especially between the state border of Minas Gerais and upstream from Sobradinho, Bahia, the CBHSF presented the result of the water availability study. “Studies carried out using data from the GRACE mission, analyzing the period from 2003 to 2014, estimated a reduction of 9.75 km³ in aquifer storage during the period, a loss equivalent to 30% of the Sobradinho reservoir. To avoid collapse, water must be used sparingly, naturally prioritizing essential uses. We need to optimize the use of water resources by adopting, for example, more sustainable irrigation methods, as well as protecting recharge areas and water sources, in order to prolong the longevity of the basin’s water resources.”
CURIOSITY
Wind energy generation currently has 31 GW of installed capacity: 1,039 wind farms, totaling 11,000 wind turbines in operation, across 12 states. In April 2021, there were 695 wind farms with 8,300 wind turbines. According to Aneel, large-scale solar photovoltaic plants in Brazil reached over 11 GW in 2023. The largest are located in the Northeast, including the fourth largest, located in the municipality of Juazeiro, in northern Bahia, and in the state of Minas Gerais, where five of the top 10 are located, including two in Pirapora.
“First, we need to qualify the word development: for what and for whom? Development should preferably change people’s lives in a sustainable way. We need to be concerned with using natural resources more efficiently, ensuring them for future generations,” said Heitor Scalambrini Costa. “We are seeing the reflections in the country, especially in the Northeast, of the use of renewable energy, which is important and is the path to energy sustainability and sustainable development, but not in the way it is being produced. What we are seeing today in terms of climate change are things we did in the past, we are not yet feeling the effects of what we are doing today,” he concluded.
MORE “SERTÃO”
In two decades, Brazil gained more than 350,000 square kilometers of semi-arid land. At the same time, deforestation of the Caatinga, the second most efficient dry forest in the world for carbon capture, is advancing dangerously.
Comunidade Quilombola Gruta dos Brejões, BA
By: Juciana Cavalcante
Pictures: Manuela Cavadas
In Brazil in 2024, the semi-arid region expanded, according to a recent study published by the Deliberative Council (CONDEL) of Sudene, the Superintendence for the Development of the Northeast. In 2005, it covered an area of 982,563.3 km². Now, that number has jumped to 1,335,298 km², corresponding to about 15% of Brazil’s territory. Whereas the dry lands were predominantly in the Northeast region, 89.5%, the map has changed, now including exactly 1,477 municipalities across the states of Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Sergipe, Bahia, Minas Gerais, and Espírito Santo. The current study was carried out by an Interministerial Working Group for the Redelimitation of the Northeast Semi-arid and the Drought Polygon.
“The Caatinga and Semi-arid Observatory pointed out that around 35% of the territory, in terms of degradation, is in a critical, severe, and moderate situation, indicating an ongoing climate change,” said researcher Aldin Martin Pérez from the National Institute of the Semi-arid (INSA).
So, what exactly is the Semi-arid? The technical-scientific criteria for updating the delimitation of the Semi-arid are: an average annual precipitation below 800 mm, a high aridity index, calculated by the water balance, which relates precipitation and potential evapotranspiration, a drought risk higher than 60%, and, in addition, territorial continuity. “Brazilian arid areas are warming at a rate twice as fast as the subhumid areas of the Agreste,” commented meteorologist Humberto Barbosa. “Currently, dry lands represent more than 26% of Brazilian municipalities, where about 31 million people live. In addition to most of the states in the Northeast, the area also includes the north of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo. All of these factors significantly compromise the ability to adapt to an increasingly arid and degraded ecosystem.”
According to MapBiomas data released in 2023, “the mapping of natural forests covers various types of tree cover: forest formations, savannas, floodplain forests, mangroves, and restinga. Together, these ecosystems occupy 58% of the national territory. When all are considered, the Amazon (78%) and the Caatinga (54%) are the biomes with the highest proportion of natural forests in 2022. The biomes that lost the most natural forests between 1985 and 2022 were the Amazon (13%) and the Cerrado (27%).” MapBiomas also pointed out that quilombola territories are among the areas with the least deforestation in the country. Between 1985 and 2022, the loss of native vegetation in these territories was 4.7% compared to 17% in private areas. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), there are 494 quilombola territories, with 94 of these territories covered by the Caatinga, totaling 550,000 hectares.
“It is important to highlight that, despite all the issues, when we observe the dry tropical forests, we see that the Caatinga is offering hopeful clues on how to fight climate change,” commented Martin Pérez from INSA. “In the research from the Caatinga and Desertification Observatory, we discovered that it is the second most efficient dry forest, second only to a type of dry forest in Russia. The Caatinga, when compared to several ecosystems, appears as the second most efficient, meaning that of every 100 tons of carbon, around 45% to 55% is retained
by the soil.”
Save
the Caatinga
In natural ecosystems, most of the organic matter is stored in the soil, with carbon dioxide (CO2) being the primary element in its composition, which, in turn, has a strong influence on the climate. The increase in CO2 emissions is pointed out by experts as one of the main causes of global warming and climate change. According to INSA researcher Martin Pérez, in more humid hypoxerophilous Caatinga areas, the carbon sequestration is up to five tons of CO2 per hectare per year. In hyperxerophilous (drier) Caatinga areas, the sequestration varies between 1.5 to 2.5 tons of CO2 per hectare per year.
“The Semiárido faces a planetary problem of desertification, climate change, and loss of biodiversity—three issues that feed into each other because when vegetation cover is cut, the carbon stored in the soil and vegetation is released into the atmosphere. In other words, as you cut this vegetation, burn it, or use it for other purposes, this process will contribute to global warming,” he added.
The serious issue is that the annual deforestation rate of the Caatinga is accelerating: 1,410 km² per year. “When we lose 1 ton of soil, we lose 300 m³ of water, equivalent to about 30 tank trucks, and in terms of nutrients, we lose around R$100 per hectare. That’s why we need to rethink the management of this ecosystem, which houses about 3,347 species, 526 of which are endemic, meaning they only occur in the Semiárido. These characteristics make the biome one of the most important on the planet in terms of wildlife and conservation, being twice as biodiverse as the Amazon in species per area.”
For Alexandre Pires, the director of Desertification Combat at the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, the data is alarming. First, the expansion of the Semiárido was around 370,000 km². This means, according to Pires, that the process of global warming, combined with the deforestation of the Caatinga, has indeed accelerated the desertification process, which effectively means that water availability is decreasing. “We are looking at this context of climate emergency by setting strategies for the short, medium, and long term, with operations that ensure the implementation of actions for prevention, control, and combating deforestation,” he stated.
“We are dealing with a territory that has more than 1.4 million family farming establishments, around 5 million people living off family farming, a territory that has the secondlargest indigenous population in Brazil, and a large number of quilombola communities,” Pires commented. “So, it’s important to look carefully at the water, biodiversity, and soil agenda to ensure not only the lives and livelihoods of today’s populations but also to ensure those of future populations.”
Ferro Doido Waterfall Morro do Chapéu, BA
What is being done
The 2nd Brazilian Action Plan for Combating Desertification and Mitigating the Effects of Drought – PAB Brazil, one of the instruments of the National Policy for Combating Desertification and Mitigating the Effects of Drought (PNCD), updates the National Action Program for Combating Desertification and Mitigating the Effects of Drought, PAN Brazil, created in 2004.
The first National Update Seminar, the starting point for the preparation of the new document, took place in January 2024, organized by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change – MMA, through the Department for Combating Desertification, in partnership with the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco – UFRPE and the Joaquim Nabuco Foundation – FUNDAJ.
In total, 10 state seminars will be held, in addition to four regional ones (South, Southeast, CentralWest, and North). The federal government’s goal is to create a panorama of the territories to support the development of the PAB, which should be completed by the end of 2024.
Bioma da Caatinga, Morro do Chapéu, BA
TIME BOMB
Located between the municipalities of Ouro Preto and Itabirito, 100 kilometers from Belo Horizonte, the Forquilha III dam, owned by the mining company Vale S/A, has shown an anomaly that triggered all alerts. A potential rupture would sweep through the Mina de Fábrica Complex, dumping 55 million cubic meters of tailings into the Itabirito River, a tributary of the Rio das Velhas — a volume 4.5 times greater than what was seen in Brumadinho.
By: Paulo Barcala
Pictures: Léo Boi
Hidden between the municipalities of Ouro Preto and Itabirito, 100 kilometers from Belo Horizonte, lies a ticking time bomb: Forquilha III, a dam that is part of the Mina de Fábrica Complex, owned by the mining company Vale S/A. Standing 77 meters tall and holding 19.4 million cubic meters of tailings, Forquilha III’s structure was raised using the upstream method no fewer than six times. Today, it is part of a cluster of structures that could collapse at any moment. This cluster includes eight dams and one dike. Of these dams, six are classified as being at an emergency level, with only two considered stable according to the National Mining Agency (ANM). A potential rupture of Forquilha III would obliterate everything in its path, releasing 55 million cubic meters of tailings — a volume 4.5 times greater than what was witnessed in Brumadinho.
The possibility of Forquilha III’s collapse is not mere speculation. In early April, Vale acknowledged that the dam exhibits an anomaly rated at “score 10,” the most severe level on the scale. According to the company, a leak in one of the structure’s drains was detected on March 15, indicating an erosive process within the dam’s body. Since 2019, Forquilha III has already been classified at emergency level 3, which signifies an imminent risk of failure.
Communication with oversight and regulatory bodies, such as the National Mining Agency (ANM), the State Environmental Foundation (FEAM), the Minas Gerais Water Management Institute (IGAM), and State and Municipal Civil Defense agencies, was supposed to occur immediately. Notifications should have been logged in the Integrated Mining Dam Management System (SIGBM) within 24 hours. However, ANM was only informed four days later, and FEAM five days later. The Minas Gerais Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPMG) was notified on March 21, and the Rio das Velhas River Basin Committee was officially informed 25 days after the anomaly was identified, during an April 10 meeting convened by the state committee with state agencies and Vale.
Path of the mud
Like other dams owned by Vale, Forquilha III is undergoing the so-called decharacterization or decommissioning process, which is only expected to be completed by 2035. In 2022, the company inaugurated a Downstream Containment Structure (ECJ) standing 95 meters tall and 330 meters long to try to contain the tailings. However, if the mud is not stopped by the ECJ, its destination is the São Francisco River. First, it reaches the Ribeirão MataPorcos, then the Itabirito River, followed by the Rio das Velhas, a tributary of the Velho Chico (São Francisco). In the Velhas, it would encounter the Bela Fama Water Treatment Station (ETA), operated by Copasa, which uses a direct water intake system without reservoirs. This station supplies 2.4 million people in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte (RMBH) and 70% of the capital’s population. Contamination could render its operation entirely unfeasible.
According to Vale, the problem has been resolved. In a statement to the press, the company announced that it “has completed the repair works on the anomalies detected at the Forquilha III dam.” Vale also stated that representatives of the National Mining Agency (ANM) inspected the dam and “certified that the situation is in compliance.” “During the inspection, the ANM team did not observe any sediment accumulation in the device installed at the DP-2 drain outlet, and the drain water appeared visually clear,” the agency reported. “Although no sediments were observed in the water exiting the DP-2 drain, the ANM required ongoing monitoring until the situation is fully under control, including monitoring the flow rate and other instruments, especially piezometers installed near the drain. Vale has been complying with this requirement, reporting the monitoring data in the SIGBM system, allowing remote oversight by the regulatory team.”
In Minas Gerais — a state whose name reflects its historical connection to mining — 40% of all tailings dams in the country are concentrated. Three of these are at the highest emergency level: Forquilha III, the Sul Superior dam in Barão de Cocais (also owned by Vale), and the Serra Azul dam operated by ArcelorMittal in Itatiaiuçu.
Vice President of the São Francisco River Basin Committee (CBHSF)
State Law No. 23,291/2019, known as the “Never Again Sea of Mud” law, was considered a major step forward and was enacted on February 25, 2019. It provided a three-year deadline for the elimination of dams raised using the upstream method — the same method used for Forquilha III and the two dams whose collapses claimed hundreds of lives and severely impacted the waters of the Doce River (Fundão Dam in Mariana) and Paraopeba River (B1, B-IV, and B-IV-A in Brumadinho). However, a Commitment Agreement signed by Vale with the state government, regulatory agencies, and the State and Federal Public Prosecutor’s Offices at the last minute extended the decommissioning deadlines to between 2029 and 2035.
“Dams are like black boxes that, on one hand, make us hostages to the word of companies that have proven unreliable, as evidenced by the collapses in Mariana and Brumadinho, and on the other hand, are nearly unreachable for government oversight,” commented Marcus Vinícius Polignano, professor at UFMG’s Faculty of Medicine and vice president of the São Francisco River Basin Committee (CBHSF). “At the same time, we see companies cynically exploiting this insecurity to advance their interests. It’s a completely absurd and unsustainable scenario.”
By: Karla Monteiro with Roberto Borges Martins
THE CARTO GRAPHER
Between 1852 and 1854, in the service of the crown, the German engineer Henrique Halfeld meticulously mapped the São Francisco River, inch by inch. A true masterpiece, the map he created consists of 30 plates, accompanied by a fascinating travel report.
“The village of Pirapora is composed of 30 to 50 small houses covered with grass or palm leaves, inhabited by fishermen and their families, who spend their time catching fish, drying them in the sun on racks, and selling them to passing caravans,” described the German engineer Henrique Halfeld as he traveled through the region. Commissioned by the imperial government, Halfeld journeyed along the São Francisco River from its source to its mouth between 1852 and 1854. At just over 50 years of age, he was entrusted with the noble mission of mapping the “Velho Chico” (as the river is affectionately known). In the end, he produced a detailed atlas with 30 plates, accompanied by a report describing, league by league, everything he saw.
Viewed today, Halfeld’s map is a work of art. It allowed the crown to deepen its understanding of Brazil’s interior. At the time, the São Francisco River was the only route connecting the provinces of Minas Gerais and Pernambuco, passing through Bahia. The imperial administration knew little about the river, imagining it as calm and gentle all the way to the sea. Halfeld’s detailed survey revealed its true nature and potential.
Henrique Halfeld arrived in Brazil in 1825 as a mercenary officer in the newly formed imperial army. Alongside his military expertise, he brought an engineering diploma. Appointed chief engineer of Minas Gerais in 1836, he initially gained prominence in road construction.
Building on this experience, Halfeld embarked on his upstream adventure, covering exactly 382 nautical leagues (about 2,100 of the São Francisco’s 2,800 kilometers). Inch by inch, he missed no detail. He described the types of boats and fish found along each stretch, recorded variations in the height of the riverbanks, and marked sections that were narrower or wider, deeper or shallower, calmer or more turbulent.
According to Halfeld, the Velho Chico’s waters became much faster as they approached the Paulo Afonso Falls, with a drop of over 80 meters. In this section, he observed, a significant intervention would be required: “A corrective measure to ensure a safe and easy passage.”
Born in Hanover in 1797, Henrique Halfeld completed his magnificent work in July 1858.
10 Curiosities About the Man and His Legacy
Heinrich Wilhelm Ferdinand Halfeld was born on February 23, 1797, in Clausthal, Kingdom of Hanover, located in the heart of the important mining region of Harz, Germany.
From an early age, Halfeld worked in mining activities and later graduated in engineering from the Bergakademie Clausthal, Germany’s second oldest mining school.
In 1815, he enlisted in the Prussian army to fight against Napoleon and participated in the Battle of Waterloo, where he was injured in the head.
n 1825, Halfeld emigrated to Brazil, arriving in Rio de Janeiro on July 18th as a mercenary officer in the foreign corps of the fledgling imperial army.
Shortly after leaving the army, he moved to Minas Gerais, where he worked in various mining companies in São João Del Rey, Gongo Soco, and Serra de Cocais.
He had ten children, and in 1839, he became a naturalized Brazilian, adopting the name Henrique Guilherme Fernando Halfeld.
In 1840, after the death of his first wife, he married Cândida Maria Cartola from the Tostes family. Through this marriage and subsequent land purchases, he became the owner of Fazenda Juiz de Fora, where he permanently settled. Em 1852, desligou-se do serviço provincial, comissionado pelo governo imperial para realizar o levantamento do Rio São Francisco.
Halfeld is credited with the founding of the city of Juiz de Fora, as he dedicated himself to developing the area.
In 1852, Halfeld was commissioned by the imperial government to map the São Francisco River, a project that would define much of his legacy.
He passed away in 1873 at the age of 70, shortly after marrying his young wife, Maria Luiza da Cunha, who was 20 years old at the time.
THE GARDEN
OF BRAZIL
As you approach the Serra do Cipó, located 100 kilometers from Belo Horizonte, the landscape begins to change. On both sides of the narrow road, the solemnity of the Cerrado meets the vastness of a rocky plain framed by unusual rock formations. There’s nothing more beautiful than the sunset here. It’s no wonder that the landscaper Roberto Burle Marx nicknamed the Serra do Cipó the “garden of Brazil.”
Famous naturalists such as the French August de Saint-Hilaire and the English George Gardner also passed through here and were impressed by the campo rupestre (rocky field) landscape. In 1984, exactly 40 years ago, nearly 34,000 hectares of land were transformed into a national park. Since then, Serra do Cipó has become a prime ecotourism destination. The park holds some astonishing sites, such as the Tabuleiro Waterfall, at 273 meters, the third-highest in Brazil.
Serra do Cipó is undoubtedly a paradise for those seeking to combine nature and culture in Minas Gerais. There are beautiful waterfalls to visit, all accessed via stunning trails. Sometimes the hikes can be tough due to the lack of shade, but there’s always a rewarding Minas Gerais meal with the best cachaça at the end. In Santana do Riacho, the park’s gateway, the atmosphere remains very picturesque.
For the more adventurous, the recommendation is to do the Serra do Cipó crossing, a three-day hike through the park’s more remote areas. Fans of rappelling shouldn’t miss the Congonhas Waterfall and the Bandeirinhas Canyon. Another must-do activity is kayaking down the rivers, spotting capybara groups and flocks of birds.
As Burle Marx once said, he began to understand plants when he started visiting the Serra do Cipó. The region hides around two thousand cataloged species. In the lower part of the mountain range, the Cerrado predominates, while the higher regions feature campo rupestre with a rich diversity of flowers. The botanical survey project in the Serra do Cipó started in 1972 and continues to this day.
The number of registered Embryophytes (terrestrial plants) is 3,299 species: 238 belong to families of mosses, liverworts, and hornworts, 116 to families of lycophytes and ferns, 2 are gymnosperms, and 2,949 are angiosperms. Don’t leave without laying your eyes on the simple yet stunning everlastings— flowers that never die.
By: Karla Monteiro
Illustrations: Albino Papa
Located 100 kilometers from Belo Horizonte, the Serra do Cipó National Park is celebrating its 40th anniversary. It is home to waterfalls reaching up to 280 meters in height, as well as a botanical diversity that has been impressing specialists for centuries.
Pictures: Bianca Aun and Pedro Vilela
Waterfall
Since some waterfalls are located on private land, access is not always free. Before taking the trail, check.
Cachoeira Grande
One of the postcards of Serra do Cipó, it is located at the entrance of the town, with a ninemeter drop.
The access is easy, with a 1 km walk. It has delightful pools for bathing before the main waterfall. At Cachoeira Grande, kayak and stand-up paddle tours take place, thanks to the large pool.
(Entrance fee required)
Véu da Noiva
Uma das mais conhecidas cachoeiras do Cipó, o One of the most famous waterfalls in Cipó, Véu da Noiva offers complete leisure facilities for tourists: camping, restrooms, restaurant, courts, barbecue area, as well as a natural water pool.
(Entrance fee required)
Serra Morena
One of the most beautiful in the region, with two waterfalls. It is located about 15 kilometers from the town center and can be accessed by a short trail of no more than 15 minutes.
(Entrance fee required)
Cachoeira da Caverna
In addition to the waterfall, it gives access to the Parauninha River, a perfect place to swim and enjoy the day.
(Entrance fee required)
Grande waterfall , Serra do Cipó, MG
Cachoeira da Farofa
As the name suggests, it is one of the most visited. To reach Cachoeira da Farofa, you’ll need some energy. The trail is about eight kilometers long, approximately a two-hour walk.
(Free access)
Cânion das Bandeirinhas
The access is difficult, but the landscape is worth it, due to the immense variety of species in the local fauna and flora.
(Free access)
Cachoeira das Andorinhas
A mix of rapids and natural showers surrounded by beautiful vegetation.
(Free access)
Cachoeira do Gavião
A complex with rapids and waterfalls, perfect for practicing sports.
(Free access)
Lapinha da Serra - Santana do Riacho, MG
Galeandra styllomisantha
Papalanthus
Velosia glabra Tilandsia
Pseudotrimesia juncifolia
Cattleya ittigiana
Flora of Cipó
Rhynchospora speciosa Velosia Gigantea
It happened
By: Mariana Martins
CBHSF invests
Érico Cardoso and Correntina, municipalities in the Bahia region of the Médio São Francisco, were awarded with the signing of the contract marking the beginning of the sanitation system works in these cities. They are among the municipalities in the basin that responded to the Ato Convocatório No. 10/2023 from CBHSF. In total, 8 municipalities were selected, with an investment of approximately R$70 million from CBHSF, which will be distributed to the chosen municipalities until 2025.
Watch the video of the event at: bit.ly/ObrasEsgotamento
Dia Nacional em Defesa do Rio São Francisco 3 de Junho
Eventos em:
São Francisco / MG (Alto)
Carinhanha / BA (Médio)
Lagoa Grande / PE (Submédio)
Delmiro Gouveia / AL (Baixo)
Vire Carranca 2024
On June 3rd, National Day in Defense of the São Francisco River, the cities of São Francisco (MG), Carinhanha (BA), Lagoa Grande (PE), and Delmiro Gouveia (AL) will host the campaign “I Become a Carranca to Defend the Velho Chico.” With the slogan “Velho Chico. Revitalize the river, preserve its riches,” the communities will be immersed in an intense program that will include environmental education activities, photographic exhibitions, shows, and theater performances. The initiative aims to raise public awareness about the importance of revitalizing the São Francisco River and mobilize efforts to protect this Brazilian natural heritage. Visit the website: bit.ly/VireCarranca2024
Ércio Cardoso: Agência Difere
Forum
In January of this year, members of the São Francisco River Basin Committee (CBHSF) met with the coordinating board of the National Forum of Basin Committees (FNCBH) to discuss and organize activities for 2024. Among the various points discussed, the creation and composition of working groups, specialized thematic committees, and the development of a model for regional meetings, ERCOB, were addressed. The event was held in Belo Horizonte (MG).
See the article at: bit.ly/CBHSFnoFNCBH
See the article at bit.ly/DIRECreuneSNSH
Committees Meeting
The CBHSF attended the Interstate River Basin Committees meeting, organized by the ANA, in April of this year, in Brasília. The event focused on training the Committees and the communities served, addressing water management, basin structures, and new regulations. Additionally, the debate included the PL 2.918/2021, concerning financial compensation for the use of water resources in electricity generation, with the Committees advocating for changes to the law.
DF Agenda
The beginning of the year was marked by intense efforts by the Committee in Brasília, aiming to strengthen partnerships to optimize the allocation of financial resources in the basin. In March, the Committee presented its action plan to the Special Secretariat of the Civil House. In the same month, representatives from the National Water Agency (ANA) attended the Collegiate Board (Direc) meeting. Additionally, representatives from the Technical Chamber for Traditional Communities (CTCT) delivered important reports on the Indigenous and Traditional Peoples Seminars to the CBHSF Board and the federal government. The agenda also included meetings of the Direc with the National Secretary of Water Security and partnership discussions during a meeting at Codevasf.em reunião na Codevasf.
See the article at bit.ly/EncontroCBHI
Taíssa Dias
Walberto Maciel
João Alves
RICH CHICO LIVING CHICO
Old Chico, you are a world
So rich, so great, and strongyour lives, your waters cannot depend on luck
Protecting your treasures
A commitment I carry in my heart to have production, energy, and culture always alive in your bed
Revitalize the river, preserve treasures
To change our future
With all the riches of Chico the greatest wealth is to care
