Developed by MRN, the activities seek to mobilize communities about the risks of fires during the dry season in the region's rivers
In view of the drought affecting the western region of Pará and the consequent increase in the risk of forest fires, the Leme Project, developed by Mineração Rio do Norte (MRN), has intensified its actions in the communities of Bom Jesus, Boa Vista, Ajudante, Batata and Trombetas, located in the municipality of Oriximiná. The aim is to make residents aware of the precautions needed to prevent fires on the banks of rivers and lakes, thus preserving the environment and safeguarding everyone's safety.
Educational workshops and talks are held on the importance of not setting fires during the dry season, when the vegetation becomes extremely flammable. The team has focused on the dangers of the rapid spread of fire in dry weather conditions, which can affect fauna, flora and local communities.
“Wildfires have been very damaging to the health of our region. We need to fight this and make people aware so that they can be partners and also contribute to the fight against fires. For this reason, the Leme Project is of great importance, as the instructors take great care to raise awareness among the participants. You also learn how to navigate along the river and be safer”, said Antônio Matos Figueira, a resident of the Lago Ajudante community, who is taking part in MRN's project activities.
The actions are carried out by instructors who, in addition to workshops, promote playful activities that seek to mobilize the largest number of community members on the subject of safety. Herbert Rezende is one of Projeto Leme's instructors and knows the region well and has noticed the drought, which makes the work of guidance and monitoring even more important. “In September, we had difficulties accessing all the communities due to this situation (drought). We have prepared materials for each theme addressed during the campaigns, and the mobilization of the communities is carried out by the MRN team. We cover topics such as prevention and ways of fighting fire, forest preservation practices and the differences between burning and wildfires”, explained the Leme Project instructor.
The Leme Project was set up 19 years ago and is dedicated to bringing essential information to the riverside dwellers and the community of Porto Trombetas. The main objective is to share knowledge, with an emphasis on river safety, but environmental education also guides the activities carried out by the company. According to MRN's Community Relations analyst, Lenilton Santos de Jesus, the Leme Project's activities are essential for raising interest in navigation and prevention. “We're concerned that people, especially young people, become aware of issues of interest to the region, such as environmental preservation and the fight against fires. This is the role of the Leme Project with the riverside population near MRN,” he said.