Executive Summary

The Recôncavo da Guanabara Bay Bioregional Fund aims to restore ecological integrity and foster socioeconomic resilience within the Baixada Fluminense region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This initiative addresses critical environmental and social challenges, including deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and socioeconomic inequality, impacting ecosystem services for approximately 14 million inhabitants in the wider region. Through the establishment of the Caminho do Recôncavo da Guanabara, a long-distance trail, the initiative connects diverse stakeholders, enhances community engagement, and promotes regenerative practices honoring the region's rich cultural heritage.

Context and Need

Overview of the Bioregion
The Reconcavo da Guanabara Bioregion, encompassing the municipalities of Magé, Duque de Caxias, Guapimirim, and Cachoeiras de Macacu, has a history marked by complex socio-environmental dynamics. The mountain ranges surrounding the region, such as the Serra dos Órgãos and the Serra da Estrela, are highly relevant to the landscape formation and water dynamics. The highest point in the region is Pedra do Sino, located in the Serra dos Órgãos, with an altitude of 2,275 meters. The territorial identity is deeply influenced by the interaction between its communities and the rivers that flow through the region. Among the main rivers are the Estrela River and the Inhomirim River, which play a central role in the local economy and ecology. Once a prosperous economic hub during the colonial period, the region has suffered severe degradation over time due to uncontrolled industrialization, urban expansion, and poor land management. These factors have resulted in critical ecological and social challenges, particularly related to the Estrela and Inhomirim rivers

• Environmental Degradation and Pollution: Inadequate land use in the cities of the Baixada Fluminense has severely impacted local ecosystems, with the siltation and pollution of essential rivers such as the Estrela and Inhomirim. Unregulated expansion, combined with the improper disposal of industrial and urban waste, deeply affects these water bodies. In Magé and Duque de Caxias, untreated sewage discharge and landfills, such as the now-closed Jardim Gramacho, overwhelm the rivers, impairing water supply and agriculture. Furthermore, the accumulation of waste and industrial pollution along these rivers has posed public health risks, while deforestation along riverbanks contributes to erosion and frequent flooding.