Government strengthens environmental oversight in partnership with the United Nations Office
The initiative is training officials who will act directly in monitoring and combating environmental offenses, strengthening the work done to protect the forest
The Secretary of Environment, Climate and Sustainability of the State, Raul Protázio Romão, opened a course on Monday (25) aimed at state and municipal officials to strengthen environmental oversight actions in the State. The initiative, which is the result of a partnership between Semas and the United Nations Office focused on social challenges, UNODC, is training officials who will act directly in monitoring and combating environmental offenses, enhancing the work done to protect the forest and combat environmental crime more effectively in Pará. The course will continue until next Friday (29).
On the first day of the course, participants were trained on the drafting of infraction notices, receiving practical and detailed information about the correct procedures.
According to the head of Semas, Raul Protazio Romão, the training reinforces the importance of coordinated action. “This style of training had already been conducted in 2023, and now it returns with a new format, specifically aimed at the new officials. It is a comprehensive course that prepares participants not only to draft infraction notices but to understand the entire administrative process and the necessary coordination for oversight actions to have effective results,” he highlighted.
Participant Silerne Silva, from the Inspection Coordination of the Environment Secretariat of Paragominas, comments that receiving this training makes the oversight work even safer.
"This training is extremely important, not only for the inspectors but also for the municipal secretariats of other municipalities. It prepares professionals for oversight, teaches the correct procedures, how to draft infraction notices, how to behave in the field, and which mistakes to avoid. Knowing the entire process in detail makes the work more efficient and safe," she commented.
During the rest of the week, participants will have access to theoretical and practical content on state and federal legislation, oversight techniques and procedures, use of information systems, measurement of fines, and volumetry of forest products. The program will also address topics such as water resources, wildlife oversight, and fishing resources, as well as trade and services related to the sector.
The Environmental Oversight Coordinator of Semas, Gustavo Sarmanho, points out that the training provides value and knowledge to the new officials.
"The training is of great value both for our internal officials and for external ones. There was a reformulation in 2023, and in this new training dynamic, we will add a lot of value and knowledge to our officials, especially those who are just arriving, who will have the opportunity to learn a bit about this reformulation, including in the law, where there were changes in the application of administrative penalties and in the drafting of procedures. This reformulation of procedures will also help guide the municipal secretariats in decision-making and in drafting their internal procedures," he said.
One of the highlights will be the participation of the Public Ministry of Pará. The head of the Environmental Operational Support Center, prosecutor José Godofredo, will present the legal implications of infraction notices and the treatment given to processes by MPPA.
The event aimed at the effective officials of Semas includes the participation of professionals from the Monitoring Directorate (DIMAM), the Wildlife and Fishing Resources Oversight Management (GEFAU), the Special Advisory of Intelligence and Corporate Security (AISC), and the Cabinet, as well as representatives from the Municipal Secretariats of Curuá, Dom Eliseu, Paragominas, Benevides, São Domingos do Capim, Redenção, Bujaru, Abaetetuba, Acará, Muaná, São Miguel do Guamá, Brasil Novo, and São Geraldo do Araguaia.
At the end of the training, the UNODC team will prepare a summary document, a brief report with the main observations and needs identified during the training. The material will provide recommendations and define the next steps for improving actions.
Text: Mário Gouveia - Ascom Semas
