Environmental preservation: basis for the development

The rural enterprise of the Fazendas Reunidas Vale do Juliana (FRVJ) is located in Igrapiúna, in the lower Southern region of Bahia. It occupies a total area of 4,822.50 hectares divided into productive areas (cacao, peach palm, banana, açaí, latex trees, eucalyptus and fish farming) and conservation areas featuring natural forests, such as the Atlantic Rain Forest in advanced stages.

The conservation areas are in “hotspot” regions [1] (regions that concentrate the highest levels of biodiversity and where conservation actions are most urgent). These regions total approximately 2,978.91 hectares (65.07% from the property total area).

According to studies, there is less than 8% remaining from the original Atlantic Rain Forest and this exists only in isolated and diffused area where a cattle-oriented culture predominates. The deforestation rates are even more serious in Northeastern Brazilian states, where only 1 or 2% of the original forest remains, from which a great part is located in the Southern part of Bahia [2]. From this point of view, FRVJ conservation areas have a high environmental value and should be a priority for biodiversity conservation.

[1] “Hotspots” refer to all the priority areas that have been designated as requiring conservation because they possess a rich biodiversity but are at high risk of deforestation. An area is considered a hotspot when it has at least 1,500 endemic plant species and has already lost ¾ of its original vegetation. Conservation International Brazil: www.conservation.org.br

[2] Critical ecosystem partnership Found, Mata Atlântica biodiversity hotspot, Brazil, December 2001.

• Business features:
2. Legal Distribution of the Forest Area
Legal Characterization of the Area
Area in hectares (ha)
Legal reservation of forests in advanced stages - 1,064.29 ha
Forestry and environmental Stewardship – 1,392,50 ha
Ciliary vegetation (Permanent Preservation Area – APP) – 394.79 ha
Flooded areas (Permanent Preservation Area – APP) – 127.32 ha
Total 2,978.91 ha