Alto Cariri

Alto Cariri State Park (Parque Estadual Alto Cariri) protects 6,151 hectares of Atlantic Forest in the municipalities of Santa Maria do Salto and Salto da Divisa in far northeastern Minas Gerais, Brazil, near the border with Bahia, established by State Decree No. 44,726 on 18 February 2008. ^[1] The park safeguards a critical remnant of the highly threatened southern Bahia Atlantic Forest ecoregion, one of the most biodiverse forest types on Earth and home to numerous endemic and endangered species. It lies along the upper Jequitinhonha River basin in a rugged landscape of forested slopes and clear streams, forming an important piece of Brazil's Atlantic Forest conservation mosaic. The park forms part of a protected area complex that also includes the adjacent Mata dos Muriquis Wildlife Refuge (2,722 ha), together covering approximately 8,800 hectares, and serves as an essential refuge for wildlife in a region heavily impacted by cattle ranching, eucalyptus plantations, and historic deforestation. ^[1]

The park harbors an exceptional diversity of wildlife characteristic of southern Bahia's Atlantic Forest, including endangered primates such as the northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus) — critically endangered on Brazil's national extinction risk list — golden-bellied capuchin, and brown howler monkey. ^[1] Other mammals include ocelots, margays, maned sloths, giant anteaters, and southern tamanduas. Birdlife is extraordinarily rich with many Atlantic Forest endemics, including the red-browed amazon, Bahia tapaculo, banded cotinga, and various tanagers. The park is recognized as a critical site for the conservation of the northern muriqui, one of the Americas' largest monkeys.

The park preserves dense ombrophilous (rainforest) and seasonal semideciduous Atlantic Forest, with towering emergent trees reaching over 40 meters and a dense multi-layered canopy rich in epiphytes. Characteristic species include jequitibá-rosa (Cariniana legalis), ipê, cedro, sapucaia, and massaranduba, alongside Atlantic Forest palms, tree ferns, and bromeliads. The understory is thick with lianas, begonias, heliconias, and terrestrial ferns. Orchids, both epiphytic and terrestrial, are abundant, with many species endemic or rare. The park protects a floristic province recognized as one of the world's most biodiverse, with high rates of endemism driven by the Atlantic Forest's long isolation from the Amazon and the complex topography of the region.

The park lies on ancient Precambrian basement rocks of the São Francisco Craton, including metamorphic schists, gneisses, and intrusive granites that have been deeply weathered and eroded over hundreds of millions of years. The terrain is rugged, with forested hills, steep valleys, and plateaus ranging from about 150 to 700 meters above sea level. Clear streams drain toward the Jequitinhonha River system, one of eastern Brazil's major river basins. Lateritic soils dominate the slopes, while alluvial soils line the river valleys. The complex topography of the upper Jequitinhonha region has created varied microhabitats that contribute to high species endemism, and the crystalline bedrock gives rise to the region's characteristic rolling forested hills and narrow river canyons.

The park experiences a humid tropical climate with abundant rainfall year-round and a slightly drier winter from June to August. Annual precipitation averages around 1,500 to 1,800 millimeters, supporting the lush Atlantic Forest vegetation. Temperatures are moderated by elevation and forest cover, typically ranging from 16°C on cool winter nights to 30°C during the warmest months. Relative humidity remains high throughout the year, and mist frequently cloaks the higher ridges and valleys. The wet season from November to April brings heavy thunderstorms and is the peak growing season, while the drier winter months offer more pleasant conditions for visits.

The upper Jequitinhonha region was historically home to Indigenous peoples including the Maxakali, Pataxó, and Botocudo (Krenak), who utilized forest resources and maintained territories across the Atlantic Forest. European colonization in the 18th century brought gold and diamond mining to the Jequitinhonha Valley, and from the 19th century onward the region was transformed by cattle ranching, agriculture, and later large-scale timber extraction. The Vale do Jequitinhonha became one of Brazil's poorest regions, marked by soil degradation and deforestation, which ultimately reduced the Atlantic Forest to small fragmented remnants. The area now protected by the park escaped the worst destruction due to its rugged terrain and remoteness, making it one of the most significant surviving forest blocks in northern Minas Gerais.

Alto Cariri State Park was created on 18 February 2008 by State Decree No. 44,726 to protect one of the last significant remnants of Atlantic Forest in the upper Jequitinhonha region. ^[1] Its establishment was motivated by the exceptional biodiversity of the area, the presence of endangered endemic species — notably the northern muriqui, the Americas' largest monkey — and the need to strengthen Atlantic Forest conservation in a biome that has lost more than 85 percent of its original extent. The park forms part of a conservation complex that also includes the Mata dos Muriquis Wildlife Refuge and, across the border, the Alto Cariri National Park in Bahia. Management is handled by the Instituto Estadual de Florestas (IEF) of Minas Gerais with headquarters in Teófilo Otoni, and the park has become an important site for research, monitoring, and community-based conservation initiatives.

The park's main attractions include its pristine Atlantic Forest, scenic mountain landscapes, clear streams, small waterfalls, and opportunities to observe rare wildlife such as the northern muriqui in its natural habitat. ^[1] Hiking trails lead through primary and secondary forest, offering opportunities for birdwatching, botanical study, and wildlife photography. Researchers frequently visit the park to study its endemic flora and fauna, and guided tours are sometimes arranged through local NGOs and conservation organizations. The surrounding Vale do Jequitinhonha region offers cultural attractions including traditional ceramics, music, and crafts.

Access to the park is challenging due to its remote location in far northeastern Minas Gerais. Visitors typically travel via the municipalities of Santa Maria do Salto or Salto da Divisa, which are reached by unpaved and paved roads from larger regional centers such as Teófilo Otoni or Almenara. ^[1] Infrastructure within the park is limited, with basic trails and no formal visitor center; most visits require advance coordination with IEF (regional office: URFBio Nordeste, Teófilo Otoni), local guides, or partner NGOs. Accommodations are available in nearby small towns. The dry season (May–September) offers the best conditions for access and hiking, and visitors should prepare for rustic conditions.

Alto Cariri State Park plays a crucial role in Atlantic Forest conservation, protecting endangered species and habitats within one of the world's most threatened biodiversity hotspots. Key conservation challenges include illegal logging, hunting, forest fires, encroachment by cattle ranching and eucalyptus plantations, and the ongoing fragmentation of the surrounding landscape. ^[1] Efforts by IEF, the Muriqui Institute of Biodiversity (MIB), Conservation International, and other partners focus on species monitoring — especially of the critically endangered northern muriqui — anti-poaching, habitat restoration, environmental education, and community engagement. The park's inclusion alongside the Mata dos Muriquis Wildlife Refuge and Alto Cariri National Park (Bahia) strengthens regional connectivity and ongoing restoration projects aim to reconnect forest fragments across the heavily deforested Jequitinhonha Valley.