CSN begins reforestation of the Cicuta Forest with 102,000 seedlings

By planting 102,000 seedlings in an area of 41 hectares, CSN (Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional) will expand the forest cover around the ARIE Floresta da Cicuta, which will promote interaction between local ecosystems and contribute to the conservation of the Bugio monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) population.

With guidelines approved by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), the project includes the opening of nurseries and the planting of seedlings with a spacing of 2 x 2 meters, totaling 2,500 seedlings per hectare. This spacing was chosen considering the specific characteristics of the areas to be recovered, for planting efficiency and rapid ecosystem recovery.

According to CSN’s General Manager of Environment, José Carlos Gouvea Junior, “the project will also ecologically aid the transition and genetic exchange of both the forest’s flora and fauna, enabling the emergence of new species and opening up preserved forest areas.”

Among the native seedlings being planted are aroeira pimenta, angico vermelho, jequitibá branco, cedro rosa, paineira, pau viola, ipê amarelo, ipê roxo, jatobá, ingá mirim, etc.

Area of Ecological Interest (ARIE) Cicuta Forest:

The Cicuta Forest is one of the last remaining fragments of Atlantic Forest in the state of Rio de Janeiro, covering 131,000 hectares. It is home to endangered species of fauna and flora and is classified as an Area of Ecological Interest (ARIE).

The Cicuta Forest is one of the locations where CSN’s Environmental Education Program (PEA) is carried out, an awareness-raising initiative for local communities implemented by the CSN Foundation.