Gente cuidando das Águas:
Recovery of the Paracatú micro-watershed - MG
- Positive Impact, Management, Evaluation, and Technology
- Brazil: MG
- Mining and metallurgy
- Scope: Private Social Investment Programme, Environmental regeneration, soil conservation, climate change, nature-based solutions
- Reference project at ECLAC - Dialogue
Challenge
Nexa Resources, one of the world's largest zinc producers, sought to adopt water and soil use and conservation practices in Paracatu (MG), where the region faced challenges such as prolonged droughts, extreme rainfall, high soil erosion and a conflictual relationship with the company. The goal was to improve environmental management and strengthen ties with the local community.
Solution
The Gente Cuidando das Águas Programme was created, focusing on rainwater retention and environmental education, with two main fronts:
Environmental Education:
Training for rural producers (88 activities carried out) using booklets and models.
Workshops for 80 secondary school pupils, with 35 activities to raise awareness about the environment and field trips.
Application of Technologies:
Assessment of rural properties and identification of appropriate technologies for rainwater harvesting.
Implementation of 102 water retention technologies, with 27 implemented independently by producers.
Results and deliverables
0
students benefiting from environmental education.
0
awareness-raising activities in schools.
0
%
of the APPs (Permanent Preservation Areas) of the protected Batuque stream.
Potential to store 171 million litres of rainwater (equivalent to 68 Olympic swimming pools).
