Generation Programs

Riparian Forests – REFORESTATION PROGRAM

Riparian Forests

Essential for the preservation of river banks, as they prevent erosion, these forests are extremely important for the maintenance of water quality. Moreover, they make important contributions to the growth and development of aquatic and terrestrial fauna and the preservation of rare or threatened forest tree species.

The great hydroelectric plants’ reservoir perimeters bear extensive banks that lack forest coverage. The existing forests on the banks are usually suited to drier soils and not to the moist soil created by the newly elevated water table and the fluctuations in the water level of the reservoir.

Riparian Reforestation – LEGAL ASPECTS

The Forest Practices Code – Brazilian Federal Law 4.771 of Sept, 15 1965 – states, in its second article, that forests and other native forms of vegetation be regarded as protected when located along rivers or around lakes ponds and water reservoirs, either natural or artificial.

The Riparian Reforestation Program

Since 1998, Cemig has been working towards the Riparian Reforestation along the banks around its more than 40 reservoirs, which cover as area in excess of 3,000 Km².

Together with the Universidade Federal de Lavras and its Foundation for Teaching, Research and Extension Studies, Cemig has conducted researches into the development of technologies to facilitate the Riparian reforestation around its reservoirs. The Recomposing of Riparian Forests requires specific techniques, which are determined by the local characteristics. Activities such as soil preparation, lime sowing, fertilization, plant handling, planting and maintenance all depend on the results of these studies.

Planting Techniques

The technique employed in this program is that of forestry succession whereby the best, fasted growing species are selected for planting. This process makes it possible for the survival of those species with higher value for the silvicultural system.

The Riparian reforestation program involves the following stages: clearing the land, preparing the soil, planting seedlings, controlling weeds and ants, replanting and irrigation.

Results:

• reforested area up to 1999: 320 ha.
• number of properties and companies benefiting: 76
• total of reforested perimeter: 88 Km.
• number of Municipalities benefiting: 14

Implementation sites

• Itutinga and Camargos Reservoir Banks on the Upper Rio Grande
• Volta Grande and Igarapava Reservoirs
• Grande River
• Emborcação Reservoir
• Paranaíba River
• Nova Ponte Reservoir
• Araguari River
• Machado Mineiro Reservoir
• Pardo River
• Cajurú Reservoir
• Pará River