With a systemic vision, Jonas revitalizes the Araribóia Indigenous Territory by leading meliponiculture, reforestation, and agroforestry projects, combining tradition and innovation to strengthen his community and protect biodiversity.

With a vision that connects ancestral wisdom to contemporary needs, Jonas Lima Guajajara is transforming the relationship between his community and their territory. As the first Indigenous agroecological technician in the region, he combines traditional knowledge with innovative practices to address challenges and strengthen his community’s bond with the land.

Challenges and Riches in Araribóia

The Indigenous Territory, located in Maranhão, covers approximately 413,288 hectares and is home to around 15,000 Indigenous people, primarily from the Guajajara people, distributed across various communities. It is a region marked by the richness of its biodiversity, featuring vegetation that bridges the Amazon and Cerrado biomes, and serves as a habitat for native species essential to environmental balance.

Pequi, bacuri, buriti, jaborandi, and açaí are pillars of ecological balance and the livelihood of local communities. The presence of native stingless bees, essential for pollination, further enhances the richness of this ecosystem. These species are integrated into practices such as the use of heirloom seeds and agroforestry systems, where crops like cassava and beans coexist with native trees, regenerating degraded areas and strengthening the population’s food security.

Despite these riches, the territory faces significant challenges. Devastating wildfires, illegal deforestation, and land invasions threaten both the environment and the communities living within it. Adding to these are factors such as prolonged droughts, a lack of irrigation systems, and bureaucratic barriers, which hinder the full development of the region.

In this context, Jonas Lima Guajajara emerges as a leader committed to the protection and regeneration of the territory. He works to ensure food security, economic autonomy, and to strengthen his community’s connection to the land, demonstrating that, even in the face of adversity, the territory’s richness remains a starting point for transformation.

A Leader on the Rise and the Networked Resistance

Coordinator of the Meli Network Hub in the Araribóia Indigenous Territory, Jonas was also a member of the Forest Guardians, a group that protects the territory from invasions and illegal deforestation, and of the Maranhão Verde program, which promotes environmental conservation practices.

His journey with Meli began with a deep passion for native stingless bees, whose importance for biodiversity and territorial regeneration he recognized early on. Leading the Ma’eputyr project, Jonas promotes meliponiculture, reforestation, and productive agroforestry, integrating care for nature with cultural strengthening.

“My grandfather always said that the land gives us everything we need, but only if we take care of it. This is what I believe.”

Jonas Guajajara

With his team, Jonas tackles challenges such as prolonged droughts and degraded areas, turning each initiative into a step toward local autonomy. “Every sapling we plant, every bee we protect, is a reminder that we are building something greater. It’s work that requires patience but brings hope,” he reflects.

His actions inspire young Guajajara to engage in caring for the land and preserving their traditions. He believes in the power of the collective to build a resilient future. His journey with Meli is a testament to how leadership, dedication, and vision can transform not only a territory but also an entire network united by the desire to create positive impact.

“When I see our team working together, I know we’re not just addressing today’s problems. We’re paving a path for the youth, showing that there is strength and value in who we are and in what we do.”

Jonas Guajajara

Jonas shows us that transforming a territory goes beyond addressing environmental challenges—it’s about reimagining how communities can deeply reconnect with their land and shape their future. His work with Meli inspires a vision of development where care for the land and social innovation go hand in hand, opening new possibilities for communities.

Supporting his team means investing in processes that blend traditional knowledge with regenerative technologies, creating bold and effective responses to today’s challenges. Each collaboration strengthens this movement, proving that transformation arises where solid roots meet innovative ideas.