Fallen trees in the Amazon region are being used to produce furniture and art objects, thanks to LIRA/IPÊ, Legado Integrado da Região Amazônica (Integrated Legacy of the Amazon Region), an initiative of the Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (IPÊ), an organization dedicated to forest conservation and the development of community businesses in the region that encompasses the biome. The project has stood out for its more sustainable furniture.
Among the projects that are part of LIRA/IPÊ are Ateliê da Floresta and Movelaria Comunitária Sustentável, which generate income and contribute to a more sustainable future in the Amazon.“These initiatives exemplify how it is possible to combine environmental conservation with economic development, providing benefits for both the forest and the local inhabitants,” says Fabiana Prado, biologist and manager of LIRA/IPÊ.
Furniture in the form of art
Created in June of this year, Ateliê da Floresta is located in the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve in Xapuri, AC, and aims to transform waste wood into art, furniture and utensils, forming a more sustainable furniture store. The project was started by one of the residents, Raimundo Mendes de Barros, known as Raimundão, and his community.
“Ateliê da Floresta has been a symbol of struggle and persistence for 14 years. It represents a dream come true for our community and serves as an example to others, showing that the standing forest is worth much more. We work with forest waste, transforming it into handicrafts that tell our story of struggle and conservation,” says Rogério Azevedo de Barros, Raimundão’s son.
The Sustainable Community Furniture Store was set up last May in the Igapó-Açú Sustainable Development Reserve (RDS) in the state of Amazonas, coordinated by the Igapó-Açú Handlers’ Cooperative (Coopmaia). Located on the BR-319 highway, it is the only furniture factory in the region that uses processed wood from forest management, says Doracy Dias, president of the cooperative.
“Furniture making here not only improves the local economy, but also values education and the involvement of young people, transforming the old feeling of shame at being from the countryside into pride. Now, residents can buy windows and furniture locally, something that was previously inaccessible,” he says.
To date, LIRA/IPÊ has collaborated with 125 organizations in five states, managing 50 projects in 59 protected areas.
By Keli Vasconcelos – Journalist
