In a document signed by all participants, the immediate official recognition of the mosaic by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI) was requested.
The last major mobilization in defense of the forests of Eastern Amazonia occurred in 2014, when a historic alliance between the indigenous peoples of northern Maranhão was consolidated in Serra do Bicho, sacred territory of the Tenetehara people, located in the Caru Indigenous Land (MA). In that emblematic meeting, one of the most significant decisions was the integration of the indigenous territories into the Gurupi Mosaic. Nine years later, these territories met again to reaffirm their commitment as guardians of life and biodiversity in this essential region of the Amazon.
“This meeting will also go down in history,” declared Rosilene Guajajara, speaking about the event. Charting Strategic Actions for the Protection and Territorial Management of the Gurupi Mosaic, held from November 19 to 21, 2024, in the Maçaranduba Village, in the Caru Indigenous Territory. “We are celebrating our strength in protecting life in our territories,” emphasized Rosilene, who serves as Deputy Secretary for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of Maranhão.
The event brought together approximately 250 participants, including representatives from nine indigenous peoples—Guajajara, Awá Guajá, Ka'apor, Tembé, Krahô, Krikati, Kanela, Apinajé, and Akroá Gamela—as well as government institutions, educational and research institutions, and civil society organizations. The central objective was to promote the sharing of experiences and discuss strategies to address challenges related to territorial protection, such as controlling invasions, deforestation, and preventing and combating forest fires.
The initiative also sought to strengthen a collaborative network among Indigenous peoples, encouraging joint actions to keep the forest standing and ensure a sustainable future for the next generations in the Gurupi Mosaic. Participants included Forest Guardians and Warriors, firefighters, grassroots associations, and other Indigenous groups that work directly in territorial protection and management.
The meeting was promoted by the Institute for Society, Population and Nature (ISPN), the Wirazu Association, and the Coordination of Organizations and Networks of Indigenous Peoples of Maranhão (Coapima), within the scope of the project. Alliance of Indigenous Peoples for the Forests of Eastern Amazonia, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This initiative is conducted in partnership with the Indigenous Work Center (CTI), ISPN, Coapima, the Articulation of Indigenous Women of Maranhão (Amima), and the Wyty Catë Association of the Timbira Communities of Maranhão and Northern Tocantins.
The meeting also had the support of the National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (Funai), the Copaíbas Program/National Biodiversity Fund (Funbio), the Floresta+/UNDP program, the Coordination of Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon (Coiab), and the Indigenous Landscapes Project, supported by... Norway's International Climate and Forests Initiative (NICFI).
The urgency of recognition
Located between Maranhão and eastern Pará, the Gurupi Mosaic is one of the most important areas for the conservation of Eastern Amazonia. It covers approximately 46 km² and comprises the indigenous lands of Araribóia, Caru, Rio Pindaré, Awá, Alto Turiaçu, Alto Rio Guamá, and the Gurupi Biological Reserve. It is considered a socio-environmental heritage site with rich biodiversity, where endemic species of fauna and flora coexist with the Guajajara, Awá Guajá, Ka'apor, and Tembé peoples.
Despite its importance, the Gurupi Mosaic faces constant threats. Illegal logging, predatory hunting and fishing, and deforestation for extensive livestock farming compromise the integrity of the territory. These challenges are exacerbated by forest fires, intensified by climate change and prolonged periods of drought, which threaten both the ecosystem and the survival of indigenous communities.
“We protect these territories because this is our home. We observe the impacts of climate change: drought, fire, and, as indigenous peoples, we defend the last forests in our state,” emphasizes Chief Antônio Wilson, from the Maçaranduba village, who also holds the position of executive secretary of the Gurupi Mosaic Management Council. He shares the leadership of this governance body with Eloisa Mendonça, environmental analyst of the Gurupi Biological Reserve Management Unit of the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (Rebio Gurupi/ICMBio).
Since 2018, the Gurupi Mosaic has had a governance structure built through awareness workshops promoted by the Gurupi Biological Reserve. This structure is composed of an Executive Secretariat, Working Groups, and a Management Council, with representatives from all protected areas that make up the mosaic, as well as governmental, educational, research, and civil society institutions. However, the mosaic has not yet been formally recognized by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA).
For João Guilherme Nunes Cruz, coordinator of the Indigenous Peoples Program at ISPN, the formalization of the Gurupi Mosaic is essential to strengthen territorial protection strategies. “Formalization will guarantee more institutional support for coordinated environmental management actions and strengthen the interface between indigenous lands and the Gurupi Biological Reserve, the only protected areas in this part of the Amazon,” he explains.
The meeting was also an opportunity to reinforce the demand for the formalization of the Gurupi Mosaic. During the event, a document was drawn up and signed by all those present, which calls for official recognition of the mosaic by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI).
"Formalization is fundamental to strengthening our struggle, protecting the Amazon, and guaranteeing climate balance, which is essential for our lives and the planet," highlights the text of the document, which will be delivered at bilateral meetings with government representatives in Brasília (DF).
The challenges for the territorial protection of the Gurupi Mosaic.
Guardians, warriors, firefighters, and leaders gathered to discuss the challenges faced in protecting the indigenous territories of the Gurupi Mosaic. These efforts, often carried out in partnership with agencies such as FUNAI (National Indian Foundation), the Federal Police, IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources), and the Environmental Police, still depend on volunteer work, without remuneration. The groups are demanding greater recognition and support through public policies that include financial support and better conditions for carrying out these activities, which are marked by high risks, especially in combating illegal activities within the territories.
The discussions also included the sharing of local territorial defense strategies. The Ka'apor people, for example, implemented the occupation of the boundaries of their territory and the founding of new villages as a way to contain invasions.
“We have observed a drastic reduction in invasions, despite being surrounded by non-indigenous villages,” reported Akadjurichan Ka'apor, leader of the Guardians.
Women also played a prominent role in protection efforts. The Warriors of the Forest, from the Caru Indigenous Territory, promote awareness campaigns among neighboring communities, while in the Rio Pindaré Indigenous Territory they work on the recovery of springs, in partnership with indigenous volunteer brigades.
Strengthening partnerships
The group of partner institutions of the Gurupi Mosaic met to discuss possibilities for joint actions in favor of territorial protection and the strengthening of indigenous communities. Participants included representatives from the Regional Coordination of Funai in Maranhão (CR MA/Funai), the Awá Ethno-environmental Front/Funai, the Pages Project, executed by the State Secretariat of Family Agriculture of Maranhão, the Fire Department, ICMBio, COIAB, ISPN, the Makarapy Institute, the Copaíbas Program/Funbio, the Federal Police, ICMBio, the Deputy Secretariat for Indigenous Peoples linked to the State Secretariat for Human Rights and Popular Participation (SEDIHPOP), Coapima, and the Federal University of Pará (UFPA).
Two themes emerged as priorities in the discussions: I gado e fireThe first issue concerns illegal grazing, where non-indigenous farmers invade indigenous lands for cattle grazing, causing significant environmental degradation. The second issue addresses forest fires, which have become more frequent and difficult to control, exacerbated by climate change and the lack of governmental infrastructure for prevention and firefighting. The absence of adequate resources and equipment was identified as one of the main obstacles to the effectiveness of control actions, increasing the risks for territories and communities.
As a result of the discussions, the representatives committed to seeking joint solutions to address these priority challenges. Furthermore, they reaffirmed their commitment to supporting indigenous demands and strengthening integrated actions for the territorial protection of the mosaic.
Building a territorial protection plan for the Gurupi Mosaic.
The discussions at the meeting resulted in demands for the development of a territorial protection plan for the Gurupi Mosaic. Among the points highlighted are:
- Creation of ecological corridors to connect indigenous lands and promote the dispersal of species, increased vegetation cover, and movement of wildlife;
- Appreciation for the work of guardians, female warriors, and firefighters., ensuring professional recognition, fair compensation, and logistical support in order to guarantee permanent actions for surveillance, monitoring, management, and combating forest fires;
- Environmental restoration, including reforestation of degraded areas, restoration of springs and conservation of traditional seeds;
- Protection of threatened indigenous leaders and the inclusion of indigenous peoples in political decision-making spaces;
In addition to the points highlighted, the importance of indigenous youth taking on a more active role was emphasized, both in monitoring territories and in political organization. To achieve this, it is necessary to promote the exchange of knowledge between generations and to bring the issue of territorial protection to universities.
Participation of the Timbira Peoples
The Timbira peoples of the Cerrado region of Maranhão and northern Tocantins participated in the event to learn about the management strategy based on the formation of mosaics. This exchange of experiences highlighted the importance of mosaics as a model for conservation and shared management.
“They are having the opportunity to learn about this territorial protection and management strategy, which consists of forming mosaics of continuous areas. This approach is crucial for biodiversity conservation, shared management of territories, and the creation of ecological corridors,” highlighted Renan Chaves, technical advisor at CTI.
“It was very interesting to learn about the experiences of other women and to think, together with my people, about strengthening the work of our Krahô Warriors,” said Cruwakwyj Krahô, highlighting the potential for learning and exchange provided by the event.
Launch of the publication “Agroforestry Backyards of the Gurupi Mosaic”
During the meeting, the book was launched. "Agroforestry Backyards of the Gurupi Mosaic – Seeds for the Biocultural Restoration of Landscapes"The work is the result of the course. "From the Backyard to the Landscape: Training in Agroforestry, Restoration and Integrated Management", promoted by ISPN, within the scope of the Indigenous Landscapes project, with the support of the Norwegian International Climate and Forests Initiative (NICFI).
The publication brings together a detailed survey of fruit and timber species carried out by students of the course, highlighting the potential of these plants in the restoration of degraded areas in indigenous territories.
“The starting point for thinking about landscape restoration is the backyard; that’s where it all begins,” explained ISPN technical advisor Robert Miller.
Based on the concept of biocultural restoration—which combines environmental recovery with local cultural practices and concepts—the book presents a mapping of the students' agroforestry backyards. This work includes lists of species cultivated or growing spontaneously in the backyards, showing how these plants, fundamental to the culture and daily life of the communities, are indispensable to landscape restoration planning, integrating biodiversity and culture.
Download the publication here.
The future of Eastern Amazonia
For leaders like Chief Antônio Wilson, protecting the Gurupi Mosaic is essential not only for indigenous peoples but also for global climate balance. Formalizing the mosaic, valuing the work of the guardians, warriors, and firefighters, along with actions to strengthen their territory, consolidates the struggle of these peoples for forest conservation and for guaranteeing a sustainable future for the next generations.
Learn more about the event in the documentary video below, produced by Fernando Ralfer (CTI) in collaboration with Andreza Baré (ISPN):