The government of Tocantins will announce R$ 17 million in investments on Environment Day.

Tocantins 247 - The government of Tocantins will hold an event next Friday (10) alluding to World Environment Day, celebrated worldwide on June 5th. Benefits totaling approximately R$ 17,2 million will be delivered. The action, which is part of the 22nd Environment Week, includes inaugurations, delivery of vehicles, equipment and signing of agreements. The event will take place at the headquarters of the Environmental Military Police Battalion, starting at 9 am. The program is carried out by the State government, through the State Secretariat for the Environment and Water Resources (Semarh), the Nature Institute of Tocantins (Naturatins) and the Military Police of Tocantins (PMTO).

The event will mark the inauguration of the new headquarters of the Environmental Military Police Battalion (BPMA), located on Avenida LO 05, in Quadra 304 Sul. The structure has 11 rooms adapted for administrative services, all air-conditioned, as well as an auditorium for lectures, meetings, and small events.

The government will deliver five new vehicles (L200 pickup trucks) to Naturatins, acquired through environmental compensation, and an overflight will mark the return to inspection activities of the institute's aircraft, which had been undergoing maintenance for more than two years. Six more boats will be donated to reinforce Naturatins' inspection work.

The Civil Defense of Tocantins will receive equipment and an adapted vehicle to reinforce fire prevention and fighting actions. In addition, aimed at combating wildfires, a Partnership Agreement will be signed between the Government of Tocantins, through Semarh (State Secretariat for the Environment and Water Resources), and the NGO Anjos da Selva (Angels of the Jungle) for the hiring of 80 firefighters. Nine municipalities, where the firefighters will operate, will also sign the agreement: Lizarda, São Felix, Novo Acordo, Ponte Alta do Tocantins, Mateiros, Pium, Lagoa da Confusão, Formoso do Araguaia, and Dueré. The firefighters' work will begin in June and end in October.

Another investment, worth R$ 11 million, will be fundamental in guiding Semarh (the State Secretariat for the Environment and Water Resources) in its actions to prevent and reduce deforestation. This amount will be used to acquire high-resolution images for the implementation of the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) and to create a cartographic base for the state of Tocantins. An important advancement that puts the state ahead of other states in the Northern Region is that Tocantins will be the first to possess current and, above all, accurate data on deforested areas that need restoration.

Combating wildfires, a sensitive issue that directly impacts the environment, involves an investment of approximately R$ 5,7 million for hiring firefighters and implementing actions related to the Cerrado-Jalapão Project. This includes monitoring the Cerrado biome, Integrated Fire Management, training in municipalities encompassing the Jalapão region, and strengthening institutions to act in the prevention and control of forest fires.

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During the event, an ordinance will be signed suspending the granting of permits for controlled burning in the State. The suspension is necessary due to the early onset of the dry season.

Terms of the Fire Protocol will also be signed with the municipalities of Divinópolis, Dois Irmãos, Novo Acordo, Gurupi, and Ipueiras, by the State Government, Naturatins (the Tocantins State Environmental Agency), and the State Secretariat for the Environment and Water Resources (Semarh). The protocol is a commitment signed by the municipalities and the community to reduce wildfires.

The Military Police of Tocantins, through the BPMA (Environmental Police Battalion), signed an agreement with Investco, which provides for monthly inspections at the Lajeado Hydroelectric Plant (encompassing the municipalities of Lajeado, Miracema, Palmas and Porto Nacional), with environmental policing activities, as a counterpart to the transfer of R$ 240.625,30, invested in physical facilities and the acquisition of equipment for the battalion.

A Cooperation Agreement will be signed between Naturatins and Embrapa Fisheries and Aquaculture, with the objective of conducting workshops in fishing communities to improve the use of fish stocks and present sustainable practices.

Cooperation with the State Secretariat for Economic Development, Tourism, Culture, Science and Technology (Seden) foresees collaboration with Naturatins, through personnel and activities, during periods of high visitation in the State's Conservation Units (UCs), especially the Lajeado, Cantão, and Jalapão State Parks and the Natural Monument of Fossilized Trees (Monaf).

The Wildlife Screening Center (Cetas), managed by Naturatins, will be strengthened with two agreements: one signed with the BPMA, which formalizes the transfer of the area where the agency operates in Araguaína, and the other with the Palmas Metropolitan Guard, through the Municipal Secretariat of Public Security, which will receive and house seized or rescued wild animals until they can be transferred to Cetas.

Furthermore, the environmental radio drama "Integrated Fire Management" will be launched, with a symbolic delivery of CDs to a community public radio station, a state school, and the Secretary of Education. The radio drama is an initiative of the Cerrado-Jalapão Project, aiming to raise community awareness about the correct practice of controlled fire use and to prevent wildfires.

On the 9th and 10th, the Seminar for Training Municipal Technicians for the Renewal of the Fire Protocol will also be held in the Semarh auditorium.

*With advice