MMA celebrates International Biodiversity Day at the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden with advances in the protection of Brazilian biomes

The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Research Institute (JBRJ) hosted the ceremony to commemorate International Biodiversity Day organized by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MMA) on Thursday morning, May 22. The event was attended by MMA Minister Marina Silva, Minister of Racial Equality Anielle Franco, President of the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) Aloisio Mercadante, MMA Executive Secretary João Paulo Capobianco, Secretary for Biodiversity, Forests and Animal Rights (SBio) Rita Mesquita and Finep President Celso Pansera. At the ceremony, a set of actions was launched to strengthen and advance the protection of Brazilian biomes.

The president of the Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro, Sergio Besserman Vianna, praised the “united and excellent” team from the MMA and its related bodies and partners, which made the deliveries to be announced possible at the ceremony, which was also attended by the president of Ibama, Rodrigo Agostinho, and Iara Vasco Ferreira, director of Creation and Management of Conservation Units, representing the president of ICMBio, Mauro Pires. 

The president of the JBRJ highlighted the role of ex-situ conservation (outside the habitat of origin) of endangered species. He also spoke of the importance of the research and knowledge produced at the institution, as well as the support of civil society for the conservation of species of Brazilian flora, without prejudice to bioeconomy and with the adoption of technical-scientific protocols. Besserman Vianna also thanked the MMA for its sensitivity in approving the elevation of the National Center for Flora Conservation, which celebrated its 15th anniversary, to the JBRJ's board of directors, guaranteeing the integration of conservation actions.

Strengthening research - At the event, which took place at the EcoVilla Theater, two documents were signed with the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden. Firstly, the Agreement for the Biodiversa Brasil Project of the “Politics with Science” Program - a Program to Support Public Policies Based on Scientific Knowledge. The agreement provides for R$22 million in funds, which will be used to expand the JBRJ Herbarium, adapt and modernize the laboratory buildings and purchase new equipment for the datacenter. It is also planned to hire fellows in botany, zoology, microbiology, paleontology, ecology, biochemistry and information technology to develop and consolidate the JBRJ's databases.

Signing of the agreement with Finep for the Biodiversa Brasil project

CTJB - The second document was the Joint Ordinance between the MMA and JBRJ creating the Botanical Gardens Technical Commission (CTJB), which will allow the National Botanical Gardens Registration System to return to operation. With the increase in the registration and recognition of more botanical gardens, it is hoped that more institutions of this type will be assisted by the Botanical Gardens Support Program, an action coordinated by the JBRJ's Scientific Research Directorate. This support is mainly relevant for diagnosing and increasing ex-situ conservation strategies.

“We need more botanical gardens in Brazilian cities, showing society in each place the importance of that place's biodiversity,” said SBio/MMA secretary Rita Mesquita. “That all our children have access to quality information and quality experiences of interaction with nature, so that it becomes a heritage - which we have a responsibility to protect,” she said, adding that the Brazilian people have a right to a healthy environment and that few countries have made as much effort to protect their biomes and their species as Brazil. “May Brazil be a safe country for them too,” she concluded.

Signing of the Ordinance creating the Botanical Gardens Technical Commission

Other deliveries - During the ceremony, a Technical Cooperation Agreement was also signed between SBio/MMA, Ibama and ICMBio to implement the National Policy for the Recovery of Native Vegetation (Proveg) and the National Plan for the Recovery of Native Vegetation (Planaveg). Minister Anielle Franco and the president of the BNDES, Aloisio Mercadante, in turn, announced the two entities selected as Managing Partners that will carry out the Naturezas Quilombolas initiative to support quilombola communities in the Legal Amazon, with resources from the Amazon Fund - BNDES.

The Senate's approval, the day before, of PL 2159/2021, which dismantles environmental licensing in Brazil, was a concern present in the speeches of all the authorities and guests, including state deputy and former environment minister Carlos Minc and Rio de Janeiro's environment secretary, Tainá de Paula. 

Planting ceremony - After the ceremony, Minister Marina Silva planted an ipê-amarelo (Handroanthus riodocensis), an endangered species, in the Botanical Garden Arboretum to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the National Center for Flora Conservation. The director of CNCFlora, Gustavo Martinelli, thanked his team and the Ministry.“This planting represents the commitment of the Brazilian state to biodiversity conservation,” said Martinelli. He announced the launch of seven publications - including two National Action Plans - the PAN Hileia Baiana and PAN Bacia do Alto Tocantins, as well as the Data Panel on the conservation of Brazilian flora.

Gustavo Martinelli, director of CNCFlora, at the ipê-amarelo planting ceremony | Photo: Ester Santos/JBRJ

Marina Silva said that this planting is a tribute to all those who take care of biodiversity, including quilombolas, indigenous peoples and traditional communities.  The minister recalled that this day of celebration is also a moment that should put us on alert, because the bill to dismantle environmental licensing represents a serious threat to biodiversity. She concluded by thanking and congratulating “all of you and all of us who help to ensure that biodiversity is used wisely, that what has been lost is restored and that what nature still has is protected”.

The International Biodiversity Day event at the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden is part of Biodiversity Fortnight, promoted by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. The video of the event at the JBRJ is available on the MMA's YouTube channel.

Minister Marina Silva and Sergio Besserman Vianna with the CNCFlora and ICMBio team at the planting site