Camanducaia River Basin receives private investment for forest restoration in Permanent Preservation Areas (APP)

With the aim of contributing to environmental preservation and water security in the Camanducaia River Basin, Ypê, a 100% Brazilian company and leader in important hygiene and cleaning segments in the country, in partnership with H2A Hub Agroambiental and the Instituto de Manejo and Forestry and Agricultural Certification (Imaflora), begin planting 25 seedlings of native species in areas with vegetation deficits considered priority. The initiative, with an initial investment of approximately R$1,3 million, is part of the 'Plantar Vida' project that seeks to engage rural owners to carry out the restoration of 16 hectares, primarily in a Permanent Preservation Area (APP), in the municipality of Amparo , interior of São Paulo.

“We previously carried out a major diagnosis, identifying priority areas for forest restoration, based on the crossing of a series of parameters in the landscape study, such as land use and occupation, slope, incidence of springs, deficit of native vegetation and others. And now, we have started planting on a property located in an area of ​​extreme importance, classified as the highest priority”, explains Gustavo de Souza, director of Research, Development and Sustainability at Ypê.

The first phase of the project included a detailed analysis of the landscape in 2022 and 2023, within an area of ​​670 km², of areas with a lack of native forest, especially those that are close to springs and rivers and that need to be restored. “This initiative also aims to mitigate climate risks, expand local biodiversity and improve both the quantity and quality of water in the Camanducaia River in the medium and long term”, concluded Souza.

In the current stage, Plantar Vida seeks to mobilize and participate more rural landowners, who are interested in restoring their APPs, whether environmentally passive or voluntarily, with preference for properties located in priority areas. After documentary analysis and a due diligence process, the selected producers will benefit from the restoration of the application of the necessary inputs, the execution of planting and 12 months of maintenance of the planting area. At the end of the period, the owner will become the guardian of the planted area, taking care of and carrying out the necessary maintenance for two years under the supervision of H2A Hub Agroambiental.

"It is important to highlight that forest restoration and the recovery of degraded areas are extremely important for production and for rural producers. We work intensely to disseminate more information about this, as restoration is beneficial not only for the property, but for the region Our goal is to demystify this process, making it more accessible and understandable for all producers", highlights Leonardo Sobral, forestry director at Imaflora and General Coordinator of H2A Hub Agroambiental.

According to the project's partner companies, rural landowners in the region who are interested in participating will be able to obtain more information about the project through the project website (h2ahubagroambiental.com.br/plantarvida). “All detailed monitoring of restored areas, data on restoration and verification of the amount of carbon sequestered will be done through Carbon on Track, Imaflora's carbon measurement platform. Annual on-site monitoring will also be carried out with highly qualified professionals using advanced georeferencing technologies”, added Sobral.