Caruara 91The expansion of coastal cities and the strong real estate speculation on the
beach tracks are primarily responsible for making the Restingas extremely threatened.
These ecosystems occupy the regions with the highest population density (more than
100 inhabitants/km²), almost five times higher than the national average, which is 23.81
inhabitants/km² (IBGE, 2014). The Brazilian environmental legislation established instru-
ments for the protection and conservation of these environments, which were consoli-
dated with the preservation of important remnants of Atlantic area natural vegetation. In
this scenario, protected areas present themselves as anchors of this important task.
In 1992, UNESCO elevated the area covered by the restinga of Grussaí and Iqui-
pari to the Biosphere Reserve status. Ordinance n.º 126 of the Ministério do Meio Am-
biente (MMA) of May 27, 2004, now considers the Caruara NPPR area a high priority
for the Restinga ecosystem protection, recommending the creation of a protected area.
Ordinance n.º 9 of the MMA, repealed this ordinance in January 23, 2007, and the focus
area continued to be regarded as a very high priority for ecosystem conservation.
In December 2006, the company LLX, now Prumo Logistica SA, acquired the
farm Caruara from Othon Group. The area was partially anthropic by agropastoral acti-
vities. However, 70% of the property remained covered by the most important remaining
native vegetation of São João da Barra region.
By agreement with the state government of Rio de Janeiro and the city of São João
da Barra, in July 2010, the LLX Açu Operações Portuárias S.A. agreed to transform the Caruara
NPPR area, with about 4,235ha, in a NPPR to be implemented and operated by the company.
The creation of NPPR Caruara Farm, in 2012, was a milestone for conservation
of the country’s Restingas. The original property with 4,235 ha, has 3,845 hectares as
part of the creation Order (INEA/RJ/PRES Nº 357, of July 19, 2012) because it was ne-
cessary to exclude the marine range for the establishment of the reserve. Still, this has
become the largest private conservation area of Restinga in Brazil, housing one of the
main remaining preserved Restingas of North Fluminense region.
The NPPR Farm Caruara is surrounded by two lagoons, Grussaí and Iquipari,
forming, together with the various groups of vegetation a unique beauty in the landsca-
pe. The creation of NPPR, the first of the municipality of São João da Barra/RJ, was a
voluntary initiative of the company that imported and developed the concept of environ-
mental assets, demonstrating that it is possible to reconcile industrial development and
biodiversity conservation.
The Caruara NPPR is the anchor of all environmental company actions related
to fauna and flora in São João da Barra’s territory. Its creation made possible the imple-
mentation of programs aimed at conservation of local biodiversity, where Prumo Lo-
gística S.A. establishes the Açu Port. The programs develop environmental remediation