General Question 2:

Indigenous forests and Amazonian rivers are identity reference points for hundreds of Indigenous peoples. An article by The Nature Conservancy on forest conservation notes that Indigenous territories occupy about 14 % of Brazil’s land and form large blocks of forest that act as barriers against deforestation. The lives of these communities revolve around rivers and streams; the consumption, hygiene and leisure of riverside families depend on the water and fish, and the protection of these waters is central to their health and culture. The article adds that only 2.5 % of Indigenous land in the Amazon has been cleared, whereas deforestation on private rural properties reaches 52.5 %. This shows that Indigenous ways of life preserve the forest and are viewed by Brazilian society as part of the national heritage.
In the Atlantic Forest, the Guarani Mbya people live in patches of forest near major cities and have begun reforestation projects. A report in Yale E360 describes how the community of Yvy Porã, in São Paulo, noticed the disappearance of native bees and started to keep hives and plant native trees. The study referenced points out that Indigenous peoples are considered land protectors: besides resisting deforestation, they carry out restoration projects such as reintroducing bees and planting native species. The article states that granting land titles to villages reduces deforestation and allows the forest to recover. For the Guarani, the forest and the creatures within it are not just resources; they are part of their identity, and preserving them ensures the continuity of their way of life.
The São Francisco River — known as the “Velho Chico” — is described as “a vital artery of life, history and resilience” for populations in Brazil’s northeast. An article written by a farm on its banks recalls that the river sustained Indigenous peoples for millennia, providing fishing, agriculture and spiritual practices, so it is seen as a provider and sacred space. Today, farmers like those in the article strive to use the water responsibly and replant riparian forests to protect the ecosystem. By participating in watershed committees and management programs, communities show that the “Velho Chico” is a cultural and natural heritage whose preservation ensures their own survival.
Along the northern coast, networks of women called “Mothers of the Mangroves” act as guardians of mangrove ecosystems. A report from Mongabay says that hundreds of women from traditional Amazonian communities organise forums, workshops and seminars to teach sustainable fishing and shellfishing, respecting breeding periods to protect crab populations. They live in extractive reserves such as São João da Ponta that permit subsistence use alongside conservation. A leader from the network explains that caring for the coastline and territory is a legacy and responsibility; for them, mangroves are not just a source of food but are “responsible for life on the planet”. This understanding places mangroves at the centre of their identity and motivates their struggle to protect the ecosystem.
Beyond Indigenous lands, Brazil has Private Natural Heritage Reserves (RPPNs). These conservation units are created voluntarily by landowners and have been legally recognised since 1990; there are about 1,500 reserves covering 772,000 hectares. RPPNs allow scientific research, tourism and environmental education compatible with conservation and remain protected even when the property is sold. Environmentalist Beto Mesquita calls them “an achievement of Brazilian society” and says they show citizens’ and companies’ commitment to safeguarding natural heritage. Likewise, extractive reserves such as the Chico Mendes Reserve protect the forest and ensure the livelihood of rubber tappers; studies show these areas have reduced forest destruction and provided economic autonomy for residents.
A unique example of community connection with a natural element is Municipal Law 4,225/2024 of Linhares, Espírito Santo. The law recognises the waves at the mouth of the Rio Doce, in Regência, as a specially protected entity. It states that the municipality recognises the “intrinsic rights of the waves” and that public authorities and the community must respect, protect and conserve their integrity and identity. Among the rights recognised are existing with their ecological conditions, maintaining free water bodies, protecting areas of cultural, environmental and tourism interest, and allowing a biocultural relationship through activities such as surfing, artisanal fishing and agroecology in harmony with the bem viver philosophy. The law establishes a committee made up of surfers, residents, surfing associations and public representatives to ensure community participation in management. This legislation shows that the people of Regência see their waves as part of the common heritage and wish to preserve them as a cultural and ecological symbol.
In addition to this pioneering law, the Brazilian Surfing Reserve Program selected in 2024 four beaches — Francês, Itamambuca, Regência and Moçambique — as National Surfing Reserves. According to the Instituto APRENDER, the aim of the reserves is to recognise, value and protect surfing ecosystems with environmental, cultural and economic attributes. Candidate sites were assessed based on wave quality, socio ecological characteristics, surfing history and culture and community engagement. The programme emphasises that the participation of local communities is essential for implementation and plans to set up management committees for each reserve. Thus the waves and beaches become not just recreational spaces but identity elements that mobilise residents, surfers and authorities around conservation.
In Brazil, various natural elements are viewed as cultural and spiritual heritage. Forests, rivers, mangroves, waves and reserves reflect collective ways of life and identities. Indigenous and traditional peoples maintain reciprocal relationships with nature; coastal communities preserve waves and mangroves as sources of subsistence and cultural symbols; farmers and landowners create private reserves to protect ecosystems. These initiatives show that nature conservation in the country is deeply linked to feelings of belonging and a desire to pass on a healthy environment to future generations.