“What if this area was gone?” That question fueled the creation of the Área de Proteção Ambiental e Recuperação Urbana do Jequiá. It is an area on Governador Island. The Área de Proteção Ambiental e Recuperação Urbana do Jequiá is a protected space. It exists to safeguard the mangrove area bordering Guanabara Bay.
Once mangrove forests covered 260 square kilometers around this bay. Today less than a third of that original area remains. The mangrove at the Jequiá River’s mouth stands as the municipality’s largest preserved area.
Local fishermen and residents spearheaded preservation. They sought to shield the mangrove even before the Área de Proteção Ambiental e Recuperação Urbana do Jequiá existed. Decree N° 12.250 established the Área de Proteção Ambiental e Recuperação Urbana do Jequiá on August 31 1993. It includes the Jequiá River’s mangrove and estuary. Also it has the Morro do Matoso forest complex. Naval facilities and Colônia Z-10 are a part of it. Colônia Z-10 is a fishing colony at the Jequiá River’s mouth.
The decree outlines objectives. They include local ecosystem recovery and preservation. Another objective is preserving rare endangered species. It aims to promote scientific study of the region’s flora and fauna. Leisure activities compatible with the Área de Proteção Ambiental e Recuperação Urbana’s goals are allowed. Actions degrading the ecosystem are prohibited. This includes deforestation hunting and introducing exotic species.
Since its creation the Área de Proteção Ambiental e Recuperação Urbana do Jequiá has seen socio-environmental improvements. The city government implemented these. However today the Jequiá faces neglect and lacks public investment. A Environmental Education Center is there. It bolsters the Área de Proteção Ambiental e Recuperação Urbana do Jequiá.
In 2011 a proposal arose. It suggested building the Olympic Village within the Área de Proteção Ambiental e Recuperação Urbana for the 2016 Rio Olympics. This sparked public opposition. Environmentalist Sérgio Ricardo Lima argued construction would severely impact the soil. Rainwater would flood the Z-10 fishing colony.
During Rio+20 in 2012 global YMCA youths visited the Área de Proteção Ambiental e Recuperação Urbana. They learned about Colônia Z-10. They participated in ecological activities.
In 2018 the Área de Proteção Ambiental e Recuperação Urbana do Jequiá celebrated 25 years. A cultural and educational program marked the anniversary. School students visited.
Despite improvements the Área de Proteção Ambiental e Recuperação Urbana do Jequiá needs constant care. Protecting this space ensures Guanabara Bay’s health. It preserves a unique ecosystem for future generations. It shows what dedicated people can achieve.