Struggling to imagine Rio de Janeiro without a place that holds the title of guardian of the forest? Vale Encantado is such a place. It is a community deeply intertwined with the Tijuca Forest. Before the forest became a National Park, Vale Encantado was home to descendants of Portuguese settlers. These families cultivated coffee and sugarcane.
Over the last two centuries, Vale Encantado has seen successive cycles of production. These cycles are narrated by its inhabitants and recorded in documents. Initially, economic activities severely damaged the environment. Deforestation for logging and crops impacted Rio’s water supply. Emperor D. Pedro II ordered reforestation using slave labor. This process lasted over ten years beginning in 1861.
Agriculture persisted until the mid-20th century. Japanese immigrants in S. Paulo caused a reduction in local production. Flower production and black granite mining then began in Vale Encantado. Dynamite used in granite mining caused environmental damage. This affected plant life and water springs.
Environmental awareness grew in the 1980s and 1990s. This led to the end of mining. Flower production also declined due to competition. Many residents left Vale Encantado because of this.
The community sought new opportunities for social and economic development. They faced challenges such as deforestation and lack of employment. In 1992, they formed AMATA. AMATA is the Association of Residents and Friends of Taquara do Alto da Boa Vista.
In 2005, a representative from ABAQUAR/PARIS identified tourism potential in Vale Encantado. Vale Encantado differed from other Rio slums. It was peaceful and free from drug trafficking. Its location offered views of the Atlantic rainforest, rivers and waterfalls. It also had views of Rio’s West Zone beaches.
The Vale Encantado ecotourism project was created with support from ABAQUAR/PARIS. Support also came from the Genesis Project of the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro. The Ventura Institute for Sustainable Development also helped. The community dreamed of remaining in the location in a dignified manner. They wanted to preserve their roots and culture.
Vale Encantado is becoming a reference as guardian of the forest. It promotes the sustainable use of natural and cultural resources. These surround the Tijuca National Park. The Tijuca Forest National Park covers 3,972 hectares. It has crystal clear springs. It provides landslide protection and flood control.
Families like the Carvalhos, Barros, and Medeiros occupied Vale Encantado. They grew coffee, greens, and vegetables. Around 1950, flower growing and black granite mining began. Flower production stopped in the 1980s due to competition. Granite mining generated income but caused environmental damage.
To solve problems from the quarry closing, residents revived AMATA. Today, AMATA plays an important part in local development. Jerome Auriac from ABAQUAR/PARIS saw the tourism potential. He offered tour guide training to residents. Residents began meeting to create a social tourism cooperative.
In 2007, COOVE-RJ, the Vale Encantado Cooperative Ltd., was formed. It was the first social cooperative in the PARNA-Tijuca area. AMATA and Coove joined forces to promote local development. Today, this organization improves the quality of life for Valley residents.
Vale Encantado has become a tourist destination. It attracts tourists with its proximity to the Tijuca National Park. It also has lush natural surroundings. The community seeks to stimulate sustainable tourism. It does this through nature trails and promoting local cuisine.
The Valley has attracted over 1,000 tourists. The community offers a tasty snack at the end of the trails. Tourists can buy community products like jams and arts and crafts. The community has been developing recipes using local products. They prepare food items like taro turnovers and jackfruit stew.
The cooperative’s Social Buffet is gaining visibility. It demonstrates its potential and generates income. These activities are supervised by shared management of resources. Today, Coove has 20 members.
Partnerships have provided the skills for staff. This includes training chefs, waiters, and tour guides. Other initiatives include a native plant nursery and waste recycling. The community intends to live peacefully without degrading the environment. Today the cooperative is as important as the neighborhood association. The Vale Encantado project aims to expand to other communities. It will generate income and stimulate development.