Minas Gerais environmental agency reports major advances in waste, water and biodiversity management

The Minas Gerais State System of Environment and Water Resources (Sisema) presented a comprehensive report of its environmental policies for the period May 2025‑April 2026. Secretary Lyssandro Norton Siqueira detailed progress in solid‑waste management, with 617 municipalities serving 15.4 million people and the Bolsa Reciclagem program allocating over R$3.6 million to 91 waste‑collector cooperatives, recycling more than 12 000 tonnes. The Saneamento Paraopeba programme launched 118 sanitation projects worth R$136 million. Environmental education reached 412 schools in 183 municipalities, involving over 14 000 students and 709 teachers, and resulted in the planting of more than 13 000 seedlings and 19 climate refuges.

Animal protection actions recorded over 71 000 sterilizations, 30 000 veterinary services and 12 000 implanted microchips. Wildlife rehabilitation centres treated 7 851 animals, re‑introducing 5 444 to the wild, while the Institute of State Forests produced 604 000 seedlings and distributed 594 000 for restoration. The state’s CAR registry now covers more than 1.15 million properties, with 160 000 analyses completed. Digital tools such as the Gaia platform and AI‑assisted infraction analysis were highlighted. The Pecma program attracted 9 000 new participants, raising R$22 million for environmental projects. Dam safety inspections covered 29 de‑commissioned structures and 386 mining‑dam checks. Environmental licensing concluded 1 907 processes, extending municipal licensing to 270 municipalities. Water‑use fees generated over R$193 million in 2025, and the Water Resources Situation Room issued more than 30 000 hydrological alerts.