Paraiso na Terra, Brazil
Located not far from Brasilia, Paraiso na Terra is restoring 50 ha of their land that has been heavily degraded by cattle farming in the past, with a view to become self sufficient in water, energy and food and a center of reference for regenerative practices and clean technologies in the region.
Discover Paraiso na Terra, Brazil
Status
Biome
Location
Hectares

Overview & Impact

Paraiso na Terra is located in central highlands of Brazil, 60 km from Brasilia. Its territory has more than 800 ha, springs, impressive waterfalls, natural pools and magnificent views. Most of the land is rugged and unsuitable for planting, but in the upper part of the property there is a flat area of about 50 ha that has been heavily degraded by cattle farming in the past. This section of land is being gradually restored using syntropic agriculture and agroforestry, and – with the help of additional funding, volunteers, and a bigger team – they plan to restore the entire 50 ha, to help prevent wildfires, retain rainwater, and revitalize the springs and ground water deposits. Through food forests and vegetable gardens, they aim to increase food production, and a planned solar farm will produce clean energy. All this is in line with their goal to become self-sufficient in water, energy and food, creating an ecovillage that is financially viable and that can be a center of reference for regenerative practices and clean technologies. Paraiso na Terra is also committed to becoming an educational center, offering courses and technical education on regenerative culture.

 

Impact story

Over the years Paraiso na Terra has organised events, festivals, and retreats focused on yoga, meditation, deep ecology, and regenerative practices. Many people have been attracted to this natural sanctuary and have been touched by its natural beauty and its transformative and healing practices. They welcome students from local schools and people from partner organizations, and were chosen to host the recent celebration of 10 years of Gaia Education in Brazil, welcoming people from different parts of the country and further afield.

Achievements & Partners

Paraiso na Terra has been planting trees for decades. With more trees around the springs, they have increased the water flow in the rivers whose source is found in these hills. Around 3 ha of degraded soil has been restored and 1.5 ha of agroforests planted to date. The result is an increase in water retention, erosion mitigation and the strategic prevention of wildfires from spreading on parts of the land. With the help of partner entities, they are reintroducing keystone species on the land by providing natural habitat for rescued and rehabilitated wild animals, such as the maned wolf, for their release back into the wild. The wild animals and birds found in abundance at Paraiso na Terra are important allies in spreading seeds and restoring the natural biodiversity.

Paraiso na Terra partners with Instituto Espinhaço, a Brazilian organisation that is leader in reforestation and restoration projects in Brazil; CEPEAS, a Brazilian organization that teaches syntropic agriculture, gives courses on agroforestry and does research on machinery suitable for large scale agroforest plantation and management; CATIE, Latin American benchmark in agroforestry science, based in Costa Rica; IBAMA, the Brazilian Government Institute in charge of preservation of our natural environment; TOS – Theosophical Order of Service, a branch of The Theosophical Society that works with social, environmental and educational services; and Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama Yoga Ashram in Rishikesh/India, that organise retreats at Paraiso na Terra with experienced yoga teachers.

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Activities that need your support ​

Water retention
Tree planting
Food growing
Soil building
Habitat creation
Agroforestry
Fire prevention
Restoration of livelihoods
Cover cropping
Erosion control
Bioremediation

Facilities on site

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