Cooperation Agreement

Ekos has a long history in Environmental Protection Area and Peruaçu Caves National Park. In 2017, the institute signed a mutual cooperation agreement to support and develop management activities and public use in the national park with the Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio) – environmental agency responsible by that protected area . The institute's work included support for the implementation of the public use plan, the training of guides and the development of an enterprise to serve community-based tourism. In addition, springs were protected and strategic areas reforested. The communities that support the conservation of Peruaçu's protected areas are also the direct beneficiaries of the park, either by the ecosystem services that nature offers or by the economic activities promoted by the park, including tourism.The management of protected areas in Brazil is a job that needs to be done in close ties with civil society. Our experience of cooperation with government agencies – especially ICMBio – and the entities that converge around the park shows that this union is not only desirable, but perfectly possible to be made. The results are there. And they have the potential to be even more promising. For this partnership to follow the virtuous path, it is necessary to reinforce that only the existence of consistent and consequent public policies in the socio-environmental area will guarantee us the continuity of our joint work between governments, civil society and local populations. Taking care of the natural and archaeological heritage of Peruaçu is a task for all of us who work for a Brazil that has future prospects. And protected areas can give materiality to these perspectives. Just look at the contribution of these territories to the conservation of biodiversity, hydrological cycles, climate regulation, food, medicine, leisure and spirituality that they ensure for everyone, without distinction.