Rock Climbing Opening Program in the Ipanema National Forest

Abstract

The Ipanema National Forest (INF), in addition to its environmental and historical importance, is a relevant regional tourist attraction. The social demand for more and better recreational activities in contact with nature at protect area has increased in recent decades and culminated in a project to open climbing paths in a sustainable way at FNI. The execution of the project is the result of a joint work between the Manacá Institute and ICMBio and had financial support from SOS Mata Atlântica. For the execution of the project, an area with potential for climbing in Morro Araçoiaba and areas of occurrence or nesting of the king vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) were mapped, seeking to identify appropriate places for the implementation of climbing routes that would not impact the behavior of the species. After this stage, different activities were carried out to structure the activity at FNI, such as training of environmental guides, implantation of climbing routes and opening and signaling of trails, elaboration of the public use plan for climbing practice, elaboration of a digital guide for climbers, among other products and services. 5 of the 17 climbing sectors mapped were implemented, with different climbing routes in each sector. After the opening of the climbing sectors, the continued presence of climbers at FNI was noted and most of this audience rated the attraction as excellent or good. The challenge is to continue monitoring the impacts of the activity and involving the community of climbers in the management of the FNI and in solving possible problems caused by the activity.