Location: Tocantins Map
Araguaia National Park (Parque Nacional do Araguaia) is a significant protected area in northern Brazil, located on Bananal Island in the Araguaia River, which is considered the world's largest fluvial (river-formed) island. Established in 1959, the park spans approximately 5,577 square kilometers (2,153 square miles) and serves as a critical conservation zone at the ecotone between the Amazon rainforest to the north and the Cerrado savanna to the south. Administered by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), it protects diverse ecosystems including wetlands, forests, and grasslands, while supporting indigenous communities and promoting sustainable ecotourism. The park is part of larger conservation initiatives, such as the proposed South Amazon Ecotones Ecological Corridor and the Araguaia River Basin Conservation Plan, emphasizing its role in preserving Brazil's biodiversity hotspots.
The park is situated in Tocantins state, at coordinates approximately
10°30′S 50°10′W, occupying the northern portion of Bananal Island in the
middle Araguaia River. This island, formed by the river's bifurcation,
covers about 20,000 square kilometers overall, with the park comprising
its northern tip. The terrain is predominantly flat, with elevations
ranging from 200 to 240 meters above sea level, featuring extensive
floodplains, oxbow lakes, and river channels that create a dynamic
wetland environment. The Araguaia River, one of Brazil's major waterways
at 2,627 kilometers long, influences the park's hydrology, causing
seasonal flooding that shapes the landscape and supports nutrient-rich
soils.
The climate is tropical savanna (Aw under Köppen
classification), with high humidity and temperatures averaging 24–28°C
(75–82°F) year-round. Rainfall is seasonal, totaling 1,500–2,000 mm
annually, concentrated from November to March (wet season peaks at
300–400 mm/month), leading to inundation of up to 80% of the park. The
dry season (April–October) exposes sandy beaches and reduces water
levels, facilitating wildlife viewing. This transitional zone between
the Amazon and Cerrado biomes results in a mosaic of habitats, including
gallery forests along rivers, open savannas, and transitional woodlands,
making it vulnerable to climate variability.
The region has long been inhabited by indigenous groups, including
the Karajá, Javaé, and Xavante peoples, who have cultural ties to
the island and river. European exploration began in the 17th
century, but significant development occurred in the 20th century
with cattle ranching and agriculture encroaching on the area.
Recognizing the ecological value, the Brazilian government
established Araguaia National Park on December 31, 1959, via Federal
Decree No. 45,570, making it one of the country's early national
parks. Its boundaries were adjusted in subsequent decrees (e.g., No.
68,873/1971, No. 71,879/1973, and No. 84,844/1980) to better align
with conservation goals.
In 1973, Bananal Island was designated a
nature and culture preserve under the Indian Statute Law No. 6,001,
allocating the park's southern and central areas (about 13,584 km²)
as indigenous territories, while the north remained under federal
park management. This history reflects Brazil's evolving approach to
protected areas, balancing biodiversity conservation with indigenous
rights. The park's creation was part of a broader movement in the
1950s–1960s to safeguard natural monuments, though implementation
faced delays due to remote access and limited resources.
Araguaia National Park is a biodiversity hotspot, harboring a rich
array of flora and fauna due to its ecotonal position. Vegetation
includes savanna grasslands, scrublands, and deciduous forests.
Flooded areas feature piassava palms (Attalea funifera) and buriti
palms (Mauritia flexuosa), while drier zones have species like cow
tree (Brosimum utile), Cabralea canjerana, Tabebuia spp., Qualea
parviflora, black sweetwood (Ocotea spp.), genipap (Genipa
americana), souari nut (Caryocar brasiliense), and pau-d'alho
(Gallesia integrifolia). Grasses dominate open savannas, supporting
fire-resistant ecosystems.
Fauna is exceptionally diverse, with
over 300 bird species, including common toucan (Ramphastos toco),
anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), greater rhea (Rhea americana), osprey
(Pandion haliaetus), Orinoco goose (Neochen jubata), herons, egrets,
Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii), hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin),
and musician wren (Cyphorhinus arada). Mammals include marsh deer
(Blastocerus dichotomus), white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari),
capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), giant anteater (Myrmecophaga
tridactyla), maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), jaguar (Panthera
onca), giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), and armadillos.
Reptiles feature anaconda (Eunectes murinus), spectacled caiman
(Caiman crocodilus), black caiman (Melanosuchus niger), and South
American river turtle (Podocnemis expansa). Aquatic life includes
numerous freshwater fish species, Amazon river dolphins (Inia
geoffrensis), and tucuxi dolphins (Sotalia fluviatilis). The park
supports endangered species like the Brazilian merganser (Mergus
octosetaceus) and contributes to regional connectivity between
Amazon and Cerrado biomes.
Managed by ICMBio since its inception, the park is classified as IUCN Category II (national park), focusing on ecosystem protection and recreation. Conservation efforts include the Araguaia River Basin Plan by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), which promotes connectivity between Cerrado and Amazon, habitat restoration, and sustainable land use. A consultative council was established in 2011 to involve local stakeholders, including indigenous groups. The park integrates with indigenous territories on Bananal Island, fostering co-management models. Brazil's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) highlights Araguaia for species recovery programs, such as for turtles and mergansers. Monitoring programs track flooding pulses and biodiversity, with emphasis on participatory governance to enhance local involvement.
Major threats include deforestation, with 90% of unprotected areas along the Araguaia River cleared in recent decades for agriculture and ranching, fragmenting habitats and reducing biodiversity. Hydropower dams in the Tocantins-Araguaia Basin disrupt fish migrations and alter flooding regimes, impacting aquatic species. Climate change exacerbates droughts and floods, while illegal logging, poaching, and fires pose risks, especially in buffer zones. A 2025 study ranked threats in Cerrado national parks' buffer zones, identifying Araguaia as vulnerable to land conversion and invasive species. Governance challenges include limited enforcement due to remoteness and conflicts with local communities over resource use.
Ecotourism is a growing sector, attracting visitors for boat trips along the Araguaia River, wildlife observation, and beach relaxation during the dry season (June–September), when sandy shores emerge. Activities include birdwatching, fishing (regulated), hiking in savannas, and cultural interactions with indigenous communities. Access is via airstrip or boat from nearby towns like Santa Terezinha, with guided tours emphasizing low-impact practices. Studies from 2010–2021 profile tourists as nature enthusiasts, with efforts to monitor and sustain visitation. The park promotes educational programs on biodiversity, though infrastructure remains basic to minimize environmental footprint.
As of August 2025, ongoing initiatives include expanded monitoring of floodable areas and turtle populations, with ICMBio studies highlighting climate resilience strategies. A August 2025 publication assessed threats in Cerrado park buffer zones, recommending enhanced protections for Araguaia. Conservation partnerships, like the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor, continue restoration efforts amid deforestation concerns. No major incidents like large fires were reported in 2024–2025, but hydropower expansions remain a watchpoint. Tourism profiles indicate steady growth, with calls for sustainable models to benefit local economies.