Versão em portugês

YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED IN SUPPORT OF THE CRISTALINO PARK (AMAZON)

An Inconvenient Matter in Mato Grosso

The Cristalino State Park, municipalities of Alta Floresta
and Novo Mundo in the state of Mato Grosso are known worldwide as one of the best  ecotourism destinations
in Brazil.  Key to this is the long term vision of the owners
of the Cristalino Lodge who invested in an enterprise where quality meets sustainability combined with conservation projects
in an area of high biodiversity and key for protecting the “soft underbelly” of the Amazon.

Now one of Brazil’s best examples of succesful ecotourism is under threat. This is not just an inconvenient local matter. What is happening in the region affects the image of Brazil and the image of ecotourism globally. We need to show our indignation and ask your help

.: What is Happening ?

The Legislative Assembly of the State of Mato Grosso is studying a adjustment to a law which, in practice,  will reduce the area protected by the Cristalino Park by 14% (about 25 thousand hectares). The reduction will benefit a few local landowners in an area which is already under strong deforestation pressure. One of the supporters of the bill is the vice-governor of the State of Mato Grosso, Mr Silval Barbosa (PMDB).

.: Why is this so Serious ?

A few landowners, who have already promoted illegal deforestation inside the park, want to take over these areas and as an  compensatory measure suggest to include in the park area, an officially registered Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN), which belongs to the owners of the Cristalino Jungle Lodge. Additionally, they are proposing to establish landless people settlement inside the buffer zone of the park, which in practice will mean more pressure on the forest. They are also pretending to take out of the park area a mineral water source and the waterfalls of the Nhandú river, which will be condemned to fast deterioration  without the protection of the Cristalino Park.

The approval of the adjustment will reward illegal practices, stimulate further illegal occupancy of lands and bring further damage to a key ecological corridor protecting the advance of agriculture into the Southern Amazon.