Decree No. 53.903 regulating those areas recognized as Biosphere Reserves.

This Decree regulates State Law No. 11.520 of 3 August 2000, on the State Environmental Code of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. The Decree regulates those areas defined as Biosphere Reserves, as a model recognized internationally by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), with the basic objectives of conserving biodiversity, development of research activities, environmental monitoring, education, sustainable development and improvement of the quality of life of populations. The special protection of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve (RBMA) within Rio Grande do Sul observes the following guidelines: preservation of local ecosystems, allowing the development of specific economic activities, not prohibited by legislation or the Management Plans; damping zone aims to reduce the negative impacts in the latter zone; and in the transition zone, the process of occupation and management of natural resources must be planned and conducted in a participatory and sustainable way.