Listen closely. Did you know that Jacarepaguá means shallow alligator lagoon?
Welcome to the heart of what was once called the Pantanal Carioca. We are standing at the edge of Jacarepaguá Lagoon. It is part of a vast wetland in Rio de Janeiro’s West Zone.
Let’s delve into the story of Jacarepaguá Lagoon. This area was once viewed as a wild place. It was a hinterland far from the growing city. Magalhães Corrêa warned of environmental exploitation here in 1936. He saw it as a tropical paradise at risk.
The Jacarepaguá Lagoon Complex is formed by four lagoons. These are Tijuca, Jacarepaguá, Marapendi and Camorim. Numerous rivers flow down from the massifs. They drain into these lagoons. The Joatinga Channel connects them to the ocean. This allows fresh and saltwater to mix.
This region has incredible biodiversity. There are many species here. You can find amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and fish.
The indigenous Tamoios occupied this area in the 16th century. They had settlements on the Camorim Lagoon. Later, it became known as the Plain of Eleven Mills. Sugar mills dominated the landscape. Coffee plantations then took over the hills.
The Atlantic Forest underwent many changes. There was Pau-Brasil extraction. People harvested sugarcane. They also created coffee plantations. Even in the 1930s, tourist boats caused oil pollution.
In the 1960s, Rio’s South Zone expanded. It reached the West Zone. Automotive access increased tourism. Barra da Tijuca attracted people. This aligned with the government’s interests.
Lúcio Costa envisioned organized occupation. But scarcity of public housing arose. Lower-income populations were marginalized. They lived by the streams and lagoons. Favelas like Rio das Pedras formed. Infill projects upset the ecosystem’s balance.
Population growth increased organic matter. Rivers carried too much discharged material. The lagoon complex could not purify it all. Lack of surveillance increased illegal activities. Deforestation occurred. Mangroves were removed. Riverbanks and lagoons were filled.
Population and housing grew rapidly. An irregular building was demolished in 2022. It was in a high-risk area. The Muzema region is now monitored.
The Barra da Tijuca Sewage Treatment Station began operations in 2009. Before that, there was no adequate sewage system. This polluted the lagoon system for decades.
Studies estimated that residents dumped tons of BOD per day. BOD measures the demand to decompose sewage. This compromised the water systems. They are now bordering on unsustainable.
The water hyacinth proliferation compromises drainage. It encourages flooding. It also contributes to mosquito outbreaks. Cyanobacteria toxins are harmful. Fishing was banned in 2007.
There is a lack of public housing policy. The biggest consequence is water pollution. People dump sofas, tires, cars and untreated sewage. Investment in sanitation is not sustained.
Fishermen protested the pollution. They demanded a cleanup. Untreated sewage is disposed into the lagoons. Pollution causes silting. This causes floods.
Monitoring of rivers classifies many as very bad. The lagoons are classified as terrible. They pose a risk to bathers. The Tijuca and Camorim lagoons are more polluted.
The lagoons do not conform to established standards. There is a lack of regulation. There are housing programs. But the application of policies depends on resources.
Jacarepaguá Lagoon tells a story of change. It shows a struggle between development and preservation. Remember its name. Think of the alligators. Think of the shallow waters. Think of the challenges it faces today.