ÁREA DE PROTEÇÃO AMBIENTAL DA ILHA DO COMBU- APA COMBU
Description
According to the SNUC (Federal Law No. 9,985/2000), the Unit belongs to the Sustainable Use Group, under the category of Environmental Protection Area (APA). An APA consists of a "generally extensive area, with a certain degree of human occupation, endowed with abiotic, biotic, aesthetic, or cultural attributes that are especially important for the quality of life and well-being of human populations, and its basic objectives are to protect biological diversity, regulate the occupation process, and ensure the sustainability of the use of natural resources" (Art. 15, SNUC). The APA of Ilha do Combu encompasses the fourth largest island in the municipality of Belém, with a territorial area of 15.972 km², and is located 1.5 km south of the city, bordered by the Guamá River to the north, the São Benedito channel to the south, the Paciência channel to the east, and the Guajará Bay to the west. Created through State Law No. 6,083 of November 13, 1997, the Unit has a typical floodplain ecosystem of great scenic beauty, with lush forest landscapes formed by a peculiar mosaic of forest species, in addition to its watercourses, such as the Bijogó, Guamá, and Acará rivers, the Paciência channel, and the Combu and Piriquitaquara streams. Its population is around 1,500 inhabitants, who primarily live from fishing and the extraction of forest resources, especially açaí, which can be found throughout the island. The Unit aims to protect and restore biological diversity, genetic resources, and endangered species, as well as promote sustainable development through the management of natural resources and the improvement of the local community's quality of life. The APA is included in some short-duration river tourism itineraries offered by tourism operators in the urban area of Belém, and the residents of this region also tend to visit the site on weekends in private boats. The territory of the APA is suitable for nature contemplation activities, through hiking and boat tours. It has a rich avifauna, highlighting the Mangrove Parrot or "Curica" as the most common bird on the island. Dolphins, snakes, sloths, and various species of small monkeys can also be found.
Additional Information
- Total Area - 15,03km²
