Producers to receive payments for preserving native vegetation in the Pantanal

Producers in the Pantanal who conserve more native vegetation than legally required will receive compensation in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The initiative aims to recognize best practices in preserving the biome.

Payments will amount to R$ 55.47 per hectare of surplus native vegetation per year, with a maximum of R$ 100,000 per property. In total, R$ 30 million will be distributed annually.

"Those who conserve must be rewarded for their efforts, and this was a core principle of the Pantanal Biome Law, so that we can ensure the biodiversity we have there, in addition to the 83% preservation of the Pantanal Biome," said Governor Eduardo Riedel.

The government initiative was announced in March of this year during the launch of the Pantanal Pact. It will select rural properties that maintain surplus native vegetation—whether in forest, grassland, or cerrado areas—and are located within the boundaries of the Pantanal, according to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).

The first public notice, published on July 15 in the state's Official Gazette, will ensure payments for the years 2025 and 2026.

The notice also stipulates that producers holding an Environmental Authorization for Native Vegetation Suppression may receive compensation for voluntarily canceling the license.

Those who choose to cancel the license will be entitled to a one-time additional payment based on the remaining area:

• From 1 to 30 hectares: R$ 15,000
• From 31 to 100 hectares: R$ 30,000
• Over 100 hectares: R$ 30,000 plus a proportional amount per hectare

Applications are open to rural landowners with properties located entirely or partially within the Pantanal Biome, provided that:

• The areas are registered in the CAR (Rural Environmental Registry)
• There are no environmental violations or sanctions by environmental agencies
• No new suppression of native vegetation occurs after the publication of the notice

Applicants must also prove legal ties to the property and be in good standing with tax, social security, labor, and active debt contribution obligations.

Applications are open until August 20 and must be submitted via the Editais Prosas platform. The Educational Foundation for Rural Development (FUNAR) has been designated by Semadesc as the executing agency, responsible for providing technical support to interested producers.

Additional information is available at https://portal.sistemafamasul.com.br/

Timecode

00:00 to 00:06 – vegetation covered by flooded areas
00:07 to 00:09 – vegetation on the banks of the Paraguay River
00:10 to 00:14 – vegetation in the river
00:15 to 00:26 – vegetation called igarapé with flowers
00:27 to 00:34 – aquatic vegetation called Victoria amazonica (giant water lily)
00:35 to 00:39 – drone footage of vegetation in the Pantanal
00:40 to 00:44 – drone footage of other vegetation in the Pantanal
00:45 to 00:50 – drone footage of trees in the Pantanal