Law No. 12.947 recognising the peoples of the quilombola communities and traditional peoples of the State of Maranhão as agents of environmental conservation, strengthening their efforts to preserve the Cerrado biome.

This Law recognizes quilombola communities and traditional peoples of the State of Maranhão as environmental preservation agents, with the objective of strengthening their role in the conservation, protection, and sustainable management of the Cerrado biome. The Law acknowledges that these communities have historically maintained practices and traditions that contribute to environmental stewardship and extends official recognition to their traditional methods of land management, cultivation, biodiversity conservation, sustainable agricultural systems, and ancestral knowledge. Through this recognition, the legislation seeks to reinforce the contribution of traditional communities to environmental sustainability and the long-term protection of the Cerrado ecosystem. The Law also aims to ensure the active and decisive participation of quilombola and traditional communities in the discussion, planning, and implementation of public policies related to Cerrado conservation. It authorizes public authorities to provide financial, technical, and educational incentives, establish partnerships with research institutions and civil society organizations, and promote knowledge-sharing initiatives to support environmental conservation efforts. In addition, the Law encourages environmental awareness campaigns highlighting the role of these communities in preserving the biome and provides for future regulation and resource allocation to facilitate the achievement of its objectives.