Infrastruture KM 300 Module

Module M06 is within the RDS of Igapó-Açu - Igapó-Açu Sustainable Development Reserve and in addition to the normal research license, a license for research in a State Conservation Unit is required to access the area. For more information, contact the Department of Climate Change and Conservation Units of the State Secretariat for the Environment (DEMUC-SEMA), at email Pesquisaemonitoramento@gmail.com.

 

Access

 

The M06 module is located about 300 km from Manaus, on the left side of the track (towards Humaitá). In the rainy season (November to May) the trip to this module can become a great adventure, because in addition to the dangerous holes and bridges there is a lot of mud and a 4x4 vehicle equipped with flat tire and winch is essential to avoid major complications. Departing from Manaus, the ferry crosses from CEASA to the municipality of Careiro da Várzea, which costs R $ 35.00 (ferry from Ceasa). From Careiro da Várzea to the city of Careiro Castanho (better known as Castanho) are 100 km of asphalt in good condition. The city of Castanho is the last place where it is possible to get fuel, ice and food, buy some field material, make connections, etc. in this place. From there, there are another 75 km of road, mixing sections of good and bad conditions to Vila do Tupana. The next section, with about 80 km, connects Tupana to Igapó-açú (community that is after the M05) and is in very bad conditions with the well deteriorated asphalt and, really, many deep holes.

Vila de Igapó-açú is the last place where there is still some trade (Mr. Raimundo on the right and Pingo on the left are the owners of the main businesses where, sometimes, there is nothing to buy) and it is also the place of the last crossing ferry in the amount of R $ 20.00 (ferry from Igapó). From this point on, the BR-319 lives up to its reputation as an abandoned highway and becomes really uninhabited. The last point of support, before the Realidade community, is the home of D. Maria and Sr. João, 45 km after Igapó-açú, a very friendly and helpful elderly couple. This point is km 300 of BR, where the M06 is located.

 

Conditions of the trails and camps

 

The camp (with a capacity for 15 people) is on the right side of the road just after D. Maria's house (left side). It is possible to drive the car to the camp. The northern trail (TN) is approximately 850 meters after the camp (towards Humaitá) and the TS is 1000 meters further on, both on the left side. The trail starts at an open area before entering the forest. This module has relatively large streams cutting the trails and during the rainy season the movement is a little difficult and with many pinguelas to cross. There is a connection path between TN and TS that is at the bottom of the module. This trail is standard on all modules and can be seen on the area map. Always load the GPS before traveling with the coordinates of the entrances of the trails, camps and parcels!

 

What's nearby

 

The reference for those on the M06 is the Igapó-Açú community and the Embratel Broad tower. The Igapó-Açú community is 45 km from the M06 returning to Manaus and the Broad tower is 9 km away, also towards Manaus. A few meters ahead of the camp is the home of D. Maria and Seu João, the closest residents to the M06. D. Maria always supported the research teams, cooking and taking care of the camping during the field days or passing a coffee during the stops between one module and another.

 

Where to get water

 

In the M06 there is no well and the water comes from a “lake” (igarapé dammed by the road) that is at the bottom of the camp. There is a walkway and a platform to bathe in this lake too. The water should be treated with hypochlorite, or something similar, whenever it is used for drinking or cooking.

 

Local staff

 

The people close to the M06 are the family of D. Maria and Seu João, an elderly couple. They have two children who are involved in research activities and can eventually help in the field. One of the children lives most of the time in km 300 (Mael) and the other lives in Castanho (Israel). It is possible to contact them in advance, through Israel, to combine the period of work and also the assistance of D. Maria as a cook.

 

Safety

 

IMPORTANT: To reach the M06 (and following modules) there will be wooden bridges in a very bad state of conservation. Passing bridges requires extreme care. Always stop and check the condition of the wood (stringers and support) BEFORE passing over the bridge. Even on bridges in good condition it is important to be careful and to enter very slowly as the wooden surface can be smooth (especially when it rains) and cause the car to slip. Most of the time the bridges have no protection on the sides to hold the cars that leave the main tracks. BR-319 is commonly used as a route by different walkers, which can be malicious. Therefore, in all modules it is recommended to have someone who takes care of belongings in the camp during the days of working on the trails (a cook for example). In the M06 it is necessary to have at least one truck that will remain in the camp during the tour period. At this point on the BR319 there is no more flow of vehicles, so a support car is essential in case of an emergency.

 

If you need help

 

If it is necessary to go in search of groceries (prepare well so that it does not happen!) Or contact by phone the options are the Igapó-Açu community and the nearest Embratel tower. At the Broad tower (9 km from the module towards Manaus), if there are any employees, it is possible to have access to a telephone for external calls or a radio for communication between towers. In the Igapó-Açu community (45 km towards Manaus) it is possible to buy basic food (rice, beans, flour, sugar, coffee and fish), there is a public telephone (which does not always work) but there is nowhere to buy a phone card . Groceries are sold before and after crossing the Igapó-Açu river. The public telephone is on the left bank of the Igapó-Açú river, where there is also a restaurant and two options for staying overnight: one is the straw hat of the community that is next to the pay phone and can be used free of charge; the other option is the accommodation of Seu Raimundo, which is next to the restaurant (a green house). If using the straw hat, the use of mosquito nets is recommended, as there are many cases of malaria in the Igapó-Açu community.

 

Term of commitment and rules of conduct

 

Before going to the field, you must download, read and sign the Term of Commitment and Standards of Conduct of BR-319 and send it to the PPBio Management at email gerencia.ppbio@gmail.com.

 

 

See the maps and topographic profile of the module

 

Download the official GIS with all points along BR-319: Shapefiles Modules BR-319

 

Contact

Gerência PPBio