Community Horta - Sernativo

Community 'Horta' and 'Mandallas'

Community 'Horta' for medicinal plants
THE VALUE OF MEDCINAL PLANTS The Seridó is situated in the central part of Rio Grande do Norte, a region semi-arid, with an annual rainfall less than 600 mm, and has a dry season of 8 months per year and an average temperature of 27º. The climate has a characteristic of extreme luminosity and is very hot during the day and colder at night. With these characteristics, the vegetation is rich with spiny cactuses and plants such as ‘capim de permeio’. Also the plants of the region have species of ultimate importance for their medicinal and herbal values.
The RPPN Sernativo was created on the ranch Sitio José Gonçalves (named after a famous nordestino poet and writer, who died in an air accident that also killed ex-governor Dix-Sept Rosado), by the youngest sister of Sr. José Gonçalves, Dra. Cecília Medeiros (biologist), the reserve area consists of 180 hectares (close to 600 acres) in the area of Carnaubinha, município of Acari. The Sernativo Project, created by the NGO/ONG Associação ABTC-BRASIL has as its basic collective work program studying the richness provided by the natural resources of the ranch itself, combining agrícola -social development with recuperation and protection of nature. The proposal of the ONG is to continue the work started by Dra. Cecilia, to conduct methods of preservation of the species representative of the caatinga, experimentation agro-industrial, cataloging and selection of medicinal plants and native herbs.
In 2004, the ranch was sold to an association of rural workers from the Acari community - Association Poet José Gonçalves - (which consists of 7 families from the region) - financed by a state government program administered by SEARA, Sec. de Assuntos Fundiários e Apoio à Reforma Agrária. The problem was that the state agency did not realise that the ranch, or a sizeable portion of the ranch had been dedicated as an RPPN. Created as a Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural (RPPN), SerNativo – recognized and protected by IBAMA, registered officially in portaria nº 109/96, the reserve was created to develop research activities, provide a base for ambiental education and ecotourism, using aspects of regional culture, such as the use of medicinal plants and sertaneja cooking. Besides offering a proposal for tourism that doesn’t injure the ambient, the reserve has to offer interesting options for its visitors. Therefore, the principle objective of Sernativo as an RPPN was the protection of ambiental resources representative of the region, in particular areas that allow activities scientific, cultural, educational, recreational and of interest to tourists. An RPPN is perpetual, in other words, once dedicated the land could never again br used for agriculture. The sale was protested by IBAMA as the rural workers were farmers and their plan was to pursue their tradional method of 'slash and burn' agriculture. They intended to burn off the natural 'caatinga' and plant their beans corn. We pointed out that this was impractical as the area is rocky with little natural soil for planting. The 'caatinga' is able to survive as it grows between the rocks, even clinging to the sides of the mountains. We, the ONG, presented an alternative plan. An RPPN, as stated above, can be used for activities scientific, cultural, educational, recreational and of interest to tourists. The plan is twofold: Both SEBRAE and EMBRATUR have recommended the need for additional hotel accomodations for the Acari area, as Gargalheiras is projected for major tourism development. Capt. Donald Reid of Andetur has a private project to construct a hotel-fazenda (guest hotel) next to the property. This project will not only provide employment for the community but also a captive market for products from the 'horta' descibed on this page. The 'horta', to be built by the ONG (donations and membership fees) would provide direct employment for the rural workers, who would commercialize the medicial plants in the area as well as grow vegetables for their own consumption as well as to supply the hotel-fazenda with fresh produce.
The 'horta', as pictured above, would be a model project and in itself, an additional attraction for the tourists staying at the hotel or visiting the reserve.
MEDICINAL PLANT LIST (plants natural to the area) Algodão arbóreo – the juice of the plant is used to treat burns and rebellious skin disorders or injuries Algaroba – for digestion Arruda – the juice is used to cure skin injuries Babosa – the ‘mucilagem’ is very efficient as ‘emoliente’, hair tonic, and helps with skin reproduction Cabacinha – a tea from the fruit used for sinus problems Cardeiro – for heart problems, and control of bleeding Carrapateiras – from the seed is extracted ‘óleo de mamona’; strong ‘depurativo’; insect repellent Facheiro – combat renal infections Jatobá – cough medicine, asthma, laryngitis or to stop bleeding Jucá – syrup used for bronquites Jurema – Anesthetic to wash cuts; hás narcotic effect; cure ulcers, sores and inflammations Mangerioba – leaves used for skin disorders Mulungú – for nervous disorders Urtiga – used for ‘furunculoses’; hair burn; arthritis
The above are only a few of the plants used for medicinal purposes located in the 'caatinga' of Sernativo.
DONATE TO THE MANDALLA PROJECT!
Mandalla's - a second phase of our ONG project is the creation of 'mandallas' in the community. See a detailed description of the 'mandallas'
Each 'mandalla', created on a piece of ground 50 meters X 50 meters, can support up to five families. In addition to fresh vegetables and fruits, fish are raised in the central irrigation pond, and ducks, geese, chickens, turkeys, and small livestock such as goats can be raised in the perimeters.



DONATIONS: The 'horta' and 'mandalla' projects are supported solely by donations submitted for this purpose. If you are located outside of Brazil, you may donate via PayPal. If you are in Brazil, contact Capt. Donald directly.

Capt. Donald Reid - Andetur Brasil Ltda., and the Associação ABTC-Brasil, is registered with IBAMA Ministério do Meio Ambiente as Técnico Federal N° 235492 Uso de Recursos Naturais / utilização do patrimônio natural; Turismo / complexos turísticos e de lazer, inclusive parques temáticos Federal Technician N° 235492 - Specializing in the use of natural resourses, using 'patrimônio natural' (resourses located in the area); tourism (registered with EMBRATUR, ABAV, and SINDITUR/RN), tourism and recreational complexes, including theme parks

Community 'Horta' for medicinal plants

THE VALUE OF MEDCINAL PLANTS

The Seridó is situated in the central part of Rio Grande do Norte, a region semi-arid, with an annual rainfall less than 600 mm, and has a dry season of 8 months per year and an average temperature of 27º. The climate has a characteristic of extreme luminosity and is very hot during the day and colder at night. With these characteristics, the vegetation is rich with spiny cactuses and plants such as ‘capim de permeio’. Also the plants of the region have species of ultimate importance for their medicinal and herbal values.

The RPPN Sernativo was created on the ranch Sitio José Gonçalves (named after a famous nordestino poet and writer, who died in an air accident that also killed ex-governor Dix-Sept Rosado), by the youngest sister of Sr. José Gonçalves, Dra. Cecília Medeiros (biologist), the reserve area consists of 180 hectares (close to 600 acres) in the area of Carnaubinha, município of Acari. The Sernativo Project, created by the NGO/ONG Associação ABTC-BRASIL has as its basic collective work program studying the richness provided by the natural resources of the ranch itself, combining agrícola -social development with recuperation and protection of nature.

The proposal of the ONG is to continue the work started by Dra. Cecilia, to conduct methods of preservation of the species representative of the caatinga, experimentation agro-industrial, cataloging and selection of medicinal plants and native herbs.

In 2004, the ranch was sold to an association of rural workers from the Acari community - Association Poet José Gonçalves - (which consists of 7 families from the region) - financed by a state government program administered by SEARA, Sec. de Assuntos Fundiários e Apoio à Reforma Agrária. The problem was that the state agency did not realise that the ranch, or a sizeable portion of the ranch had been dedicated as an RPPN.

Created as a Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural (RPPN), SerNativo – recognized and protected by IBAMA, registered officially in portaria nº 109/96, the reserve was created to develop research activities, provide a base for ambiental education and ecotourism, using aspects of regional culture, such as the use of medicinal plants and sertaneja cooking. Besides offering a proposal for tourism that doesn’t injure the ambient, the reserve has to offer interesting options for its visitors.

Therefore, the principle objective of Sernativo as an RPPN was the protection of ambiental resources representative of the region, in particular areas that allow activities scientific, cultural, educational, recreational and of interest to tourists. An RPPN is perpetual, in other words, once dedicated the land could never again br used for agriculture.

The sale was protested by IBAMA as the rural workers were farmers and their plan was to pursue their tradional method of 'slash and burn' agriculture. They intended to burn off the natural 'caatinga' and plant their beans corn. We pointed out that this was impractical as the area is rocky with little natural soil for planting. The 'caatinga' is able to survive as it grows between the rocks, even clinging to the sides of the mountains.

We, the ONG, presented an alternative plan. An RPPN, as stated above, can be used for activities scientific, cultural, educational, recreational and of interest to tourists.

The plan is twofold:

Both SEBRAE and EMBRATUR have recommended the need for additional hotel accomodations for the Acari area, as Gargalheiras is projected for major tourism development. Capt. Donald Reid of Andetur has a private project to construct a hotel-fazenda (guest hotel) next to the property. This project will not only provide employment for the community but also a captive market for products from the 'horta' descibed on this page.
The 'horta', to be built by the ONG (donations and membership fees) would provide direct employment for the rural workers, who would commercialize the medicial plants in the area as well as grow vegetables for their own consumption as well as to supply the hotel-fazenda with fresh produce.

The 'horta', as pictured above, would be a model project and in itself, an additional attraction for the tourists staying at the hotel or visiting the reserve.

MEDICINAL PLANT LIST (plants natural to the area)

Algodão arbóreo – the juice of the plant is used to treat burns and rebellious skin disorders or injuries
Algaroba – for digestion
Arruda – the juice is used to cure skin injuries
Babosa – the ‘mucilagem’ is very efficient as ‘emoliente’, hair tonic, and helps with skin reproduction
Cabacinha – a tea from the fruit used for sinus problems
Cardeiro – for heart problems, and control of bleeding
Carrapateiras – from the seed is extracted ‘óleo de mamona’; strong ‘depurativo’; insect repellent
Facheiro – combat renal infections
Jatobá – cough medicine, asthma, laryngitis or to stop bleeding
Jucá – syrup used for bronquites
Jurema – Anesthetic to wash cuts; hás narcotic effect; cure ulcers, sores and inflammations
Mangerioba – leaves used for skin disorders
Mulungú – for nervous disorders
Urtiga – used for ‘furunculoses’; hair burn; arthritis

The above are only a few of the plants used for medicinal purposes located in the 'caatinga' of Sernativo.

DONATE TO THE MANDALLA PROJECT!

Mandalla's - a second phase of our ONG project is the creation of 'mandallas' in the community. See a detailed description of the 'mandallas'

Each 'mandalla', created on a piece of ground 50 meters X 50 meters, can support up to five families. In addition to fresh vegetables and fruits, fish are raised in the central irrigation pond, and ducks, geese, chickens, turkeys, and small livestock such as goats can be raised in the perimeters.

DONATIONS:

The 'horta' and 'mandalla' projects are supported solely by donations submitted for this purpose. If you are located outside of Brazil, you may donate via PayPal. If you are in Brazil, contact Capt. Donald directly.

Capt. Donald Reid - Andetur Brasil Ltda., and the Associação ABTC-Brasil, is registered with IBAMA Ministério do Meio Ambiente as Técnico Federal N° 235492 Uso de Recursos Naturais / utilização do patrimônio natural; Turismo / complexos turísticos e de lazer, inclusive parques temáticos **

** Federal Technician N° 235492 - Specializing in the use of natural resourses, using 'patrimônio natural' (resourses located in the area); tourism (registered with EMBRATUR, ABAV, and SINDITUR/RN), tourism and recreational complexes, including theme parks