SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: To protect the sample of trasitional ecosystem between the Savannah and the Amazon Forest and part of the Bananal Island.

DECREE: Decree no. 47,570 was created on December 31, 1959 and was altered by the following Decrees: No. 68,873 on June 5,1971; No. 71,879 on March 1, 1973, and No. 84,844 on June 26, 1980.

LEGAL ANTECEDENTS: The Park was instituted under President Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira after having been proposed for park status by Andre Rebouças 83 years earlier. In 1971, its area was reduced so as to respond to indigenous needs in the area.

CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL ASPECTS: The cultural and historical aspects of the park can be attributed to the indigenous groups living in the area the Carajas and Javaes. AREA, LOCALISATION AND ACCESSES: This park covers an area of 557,714 hectares. It is located in the northern third of the Bananal Island, in the southeast of Tocantins State- forming part of the Pium and Lagoa da Confusão municipalities. From Brasilia, one drives along the BR-153 (Belem-Brasilia) to the Nova Rosalandia City. Next one takes the TO-255, passing Cristalandia (about 30 km), for about 113 km, with about 55 km of unpaved highway. From Palmas, the state capital, one travels along TO-080 in direction of Paraíso do Tocantins and then keep to BR-153 heading towards Nova Rosalandia, following the directions described above from that city. The closest cities are Pium, Tocantins (120 km from Palmas), Cristalândia, Tocantins (140 Km from Palmas), Lagoa da Confusão, Tocantins (190 Km from the capital) e Santa Terezinha, Mato Grosso (600 Km from Palmas).

CLIMATE: This region presents a hot, semi-humid climate with annual median temperature between 8 and 42 degrees C. The hottest months are September and October. There is an annual rainfall of 1,750mm, with the rainy season occurring during the months of November through March.

WHAT TO DO AND TO SEE: In this park, one can travel on existing roads and paths near the main office and can go on land and river excursions in the eastern part of park, accompanied by park functionary. On the trip one can take pictures and observe the different environments and landscapes as well as the abundant groups of animals and the rare species of flora. Near the Araguaia Indigenous Park there is an excellent lookout for sunsets, and during the dry season there are many riverside beaches. GEOGRAPHY: An extensive plain, formed by sediments, constitutes the Park. It is also periodically inundated when the Arauaia and the Javaes Rivers overflow. VEGETATION: The Park is situated in the transition belt between the Amazon Rainforest and the Savannah, predominated with fields. Other features include savannah, cylindrical forest, Igapo forest and tropical rainforest. The species most representative are the Leguminoseae Vochysiaceae and Bignoniaceae.

FAUNA: The Park’s fauna is very heterogeneous, predominately connected to the water medium. The wetland dear, specie threatened with extinction, also suffers from cattle diseases. It is rich in foul, not only in abundance but also in diversity.

CONFLICTS THAT AFFECT THE STATION AND ITS SURROUNDINGS: The existence of squatters in the interior of the park, the creation of cattle farms, raze and burn techniques, commercial fishing, illegal commercialisation of turtle eggs, hunting groups and conflicts with indigenous groups are a few of the problems confronting the Park.

DIRECT AND INDIRECT BENEFITS: One of the benefits includes the global benefit of ecological interest that maintains the natural mechanisms of the region, renown for it ecotone of the major ecosystems of the country: the savannah and the Amazon Rainforest.

PLANNING: Management plan was elaborated in 1981 and revised in 1999/2000, and the emergency plan of action was completed in 1995.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Total number of employees:: 04 IBAMA functionaries and 12 environmental compensation workers(2000). Available infrastructure: 10 houses; 1 lodgings for visitors (100 m2); 6 functional residences (150 m2, 60 m2, 80 m2, 80 m2, 100 m2, 70 m2); 1 laboratory (80 m20; 1 depository/office (115 m2); 1 garage (100 m2); 2 administrative/monitoring posts (60 m2 each); 1 floating post; 4 Toyotas (1990, 1995 and 1992); communications system (telephone, fax, e-mail and radio transmitter SSB) and 4 outboards (25 Hp).

(Portuguese only)

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