Bahia Sem Fogo Caravan brings prevention to more than 2,500 people in Chapada Diamantina

The State Government presented this Friday (26), in the city of Ibicoara (459 km from Salvador), the results achieved during the first day of mobilization and environmental education carried out by Caravana Bahia Sem Fogo. In total, 11 municipalities in Chapada Diamantina and more than 2,500 people participated in activities aimed at preventing forest fires and adopting sustainable practices.

On this occasion, the Department of the Environment (Sema) and the institutions that make up the Caravan delivered 110 kits with essential equipment for the volunteer brigades to operate, including individual and collective protection items. The brigade members received a canteen, a balaclava, a hoe, a machete, gloves, a shovel, a backpack, a muffler, a whistle, a head torch, combat boots, a gandola, pants, a mask, a scythe, a rake, a sun blocker and a blower.

During the presentation, the general director of Sema and coordinator of the Bahia Sem Fogo Program, Daniella Fernandes, highlighted the significant number of residents who participated in the actions proposed by the Caravana: “the adherence and engagement of people in all the cities in that the Caravan passed, with representation from various social segments, many brigade members, public managers, educators, farmers and the community in general. The delivery of the equipment shows the Government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening this reference work carried out by volunteer brigades, in preventing and combating forest fires”.

The director added that environmental education was one of the pillars of the Caravan: “15 schools were visited, both municipal and state, encouraging students to become protectors of the environment. In addition to distributing socio-educational materials, we carried out an activity in which children and young people received a badge and the title of Junior Environmental Agents, a new approach adopted by the Bahia Sem Fogo Program”.

The project began on April 11, in Andaraí, and, for 15 days, took planned activities to the municipalities, such as conversation circles, awareness raising in schools and volunteer brigades, meetings at city halls, unions and other entities involved.

“This new phase of the Bahia Sem Fogo Program precedes the drought period, which is the most critical, precisely because we understand that it was necessary to promote effective prevention strategies and strengthen partnerships between state bodies, volunteer brigades, municipalities and society in general. The Bahia Sem Fogo Caravan represents a significant step in the fight against forest fires, demonstrating that education and prevention are the keys to a greener future”, said the general director of the Institute for the Environment and Water Resources (Inema), Maria Amélia Lins.

The Bahia Sem Fogo Caravan has become an example of how coordinated actions and community involvement can make a significant difference in the sustainable management of natural resources. In May, the Caravan will head to the west of Bahia, visiting municipalities that have had fires in recent years.

Host of the event, the mayor of Ibicoara, Gilmadson Melo, thanked the entire State structure: “on behalf of our Ibicoarense people, I congratulate the State Government for the initiative that greatly strengthens us, considering the culture of ecological tourism to be our strong point. To the municipal brigade members and volunteers all the respect and gratitude, your work led to Ibicoara being chosen to close, with a flourish, this project in the Chapada Diamantina region”.

The project is coordinated by Sema, in partnership with the Institute of the Environment and Water Resources (Inema), the Public Security (SSP) and Health (Sesab) secretariats, the Bahia Military Fire Brigade (CBMBA), the Civil House, Superintendency of Protection and Civil Defense (Sudec) and the Environmental Protection Police Company (Coppa).

Ibicoara

Today (26), the Caravan toured the headquarters and rural areas of the municipality, presenting the project and carrying out activities with elementary school students and meetings with communities in the districts of Pau Ferrado and Fazenda São Roque do Paraguaçu.

Community reference from the town of Fazenda São Roque do Paraguaçu, Hailton da Silva, spoke about the environmental challenges faced and the motivation that the Caravan brought to fathers and mothers of families in the region: “it is very important to participate in this Bahia Sem Fogo project, it is the first time that our The village is meeting with so many competent bodies, which bring knowledge and open a channel of dialogue with us. We thank the team that came here, encouraged and guided us to denounce illegal deforestation and how to evolve in our agricultural practices, without using fire”.

Erlan Santos, coordinator of the Ibicoara Municipal Brigade, reinforced the educational nature and partnerships with the brigades: “we are together on this prevention journey, which is important, strengthening ties and providing a future of protection for our natural resources. There is also a lot of expectation with receiving the equipment, we not only need to renew the already worn-out materials, but also bring more brigade members to work together”.

A promising future

In schools, children and young people were the focus of environmental education activities, with dynamics of interaction and involvement of students to understand the problems caused by forest fires.

The superintendent of Innovation and Environmental Development at Sema (Sida), Vânia Almeida, explained that the Bahia Sem Fogo program is guided by three axes, prevention, combat and restoration: “it is a program that thinks about forest fires globally, within from the perspective of the context of extreme climate events, which already require incisive planning and goals with a view to resilience in cities and rural areas. Environmental education has this role, to always promote these spaces for debate and training”.

The teacher at Maria Rocha Miranda School, Pau Ferrado district, Luciana Máximo, praised the playful and interactive approach taken by the project representatives: “the fire situation directly impacts the residents of the region, so it is important for us to raise awareness among our students, especially in this age group between ten and twelve years old, who already have a level of understanding about the problems experienced by fires and deforestation. The children loved it, very excited and participative, I’m sure they will take these lessons to their families, about the importance of taking care of the vegetation around their homes, of taking care of the environment.”

Forest fires

Forest fires can start in natural ways and also caused by human actions, caused by loss of control over burning to “clean” the soil, carelessness with small fires made in campsites, burning of garbage, among others.

The public can report illegal fires and any other environmental crimes by calling 0800 071 1400 or email [email protected]. In case of outbreaks and forest fires, immediately call the Fire Department via number 193.

Source: Ascom/Inema