I was just looking over some old notes of mine from the newsletter I used to send out. Back in November of 2008 I wrote the following:

One of the things I would like to see in this area is a private reserve, especially up here where I am. The area is beautiful, wildlife still somewhat abundant, and if a reserve is not created, one of two things will happen:

• hunters and farmers will destroy the area completely by eradicating what wildlife remains, clearcutting to make more pasture lands, and by planting even more coffee, more bananas, more eucalyptus (which remove all water from the underground springs), and maybe more citrus (which is just left to rot),

• eco-tourism advocates with more passion than brain cells will push for “intelligent” development meaning paved roads (which will allow increased traffic into the area by weekend sightseers), hang gliding ports on the upper reaches (there is already a movement to do this), and lots of cheap weekend rental chalets (they look like two slabs of plywood joined to make an inverted “V,” “ᐱ “) which are already filling up other “intelligently developed” areas.

Either option is unacceptable.

South of here, around Cachoeiro, someone had the foresight to create a private reserve where wildlife is preserved, sane agriculture is practiced, and where tourism consists of high spending American and European researchers and perhaps a tourist or two on occasion who lavish money to be able to rough it for a few days observing wildlife. Just this week a group of American amateur biologists spent some time there where they discovered a type of owl not thought to exist in this part of Brazil. The area where I am located is perfect for this. Natural spring water, small waterfalls, wildlife, spectacular views, comfortable climate (most of the time), spectacular views, areas of undisturbed Atlantic Forest on the upper reaches, housing (modestly comfortable and not too primitive), spectacular views, reasonably easy access, access to reliable energy, and did I mention the SPECTACULAR VIEWS?!?!?

Unfortunately, much of what I predicted is what is happening. 

There’s still time.

Salve Tapuio