User:Carlos.zucon/Porto do Mandoca

 Porto do Mandoca  is a place located in the Benevente neighborhood, in the city of Anchieta, in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. In the past, the site housed lime kilns, primitive furnaces used for the artisanal production of lime. Mollusk shells, mainly from the bugigão species, were extracted from the shell middens of the region, roasted in the kilns, and transformed into lime used in the construction of ancient colonial Brazil.

Current situation
At Porto do Mandoca, there is a shell mound identified and protected as an archaeological site by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN). However, interventions have occurred from Samarco Mineração S.A, due to the passage of their mining pipelines, and also from the Espírito-Santense Sanitation Company (Cesan), due to the installation of an effluent outfall from the Nova Jerusalém Wastewater Treatment Plant in the region. [4 ]

Historical Importance
The Porto do Mandoca holds significant historical importance.It may have been used in the construction of the Parish of Our Lady of Assumption, now the National Sanctuary of Saint Joseph of Anchieta, the Jesuit Wells, the Mansions of Porto de Cima, and the Ruins of Rio Salinas. Observing the columns in the ruins, it is possible to identify remnants of charcoal mixed with colonial plaster, indicating that it was made with binder and shell lime, previously produced at Porto do Mandoca in the Benevente neighborhood. Additionally, the shell mound present at Porto do Mandoca, a term given to prehistoric sites formed by the accumulation of shells, mollusks, human and animal bones, confirms the existence of hunter-gatherer communities that consumed mollusks and used their shells to build dwellings.

Inside the sambaquis, archaeological traces can also be found, such as ceramic artifacts that reveal valuable information about the ancient communities that inhabited the region.

Tourism
The Porto do Mandoca in the past attracted many visitors interested in exploring its calm waters and its beautiful ancient landscape through recreational activities such as camping and artisanal fishing. Tourists today are unaware of the location, which has been impacted by environmental damage caused by Cesan, excluding this historical heritage from others.

For nature lovers, Porto do Mandoca should offer beautiful landscapes and the opportunity to appreciate the local flora and fauna. However, it currently faces environmental damage due to uncontrolled pollution in the municipality of Anchieta

Environmental problems
Unfortunately, the Porto do Mandoca faces serious environmental issues. The discharge of raw sewage into the Benevente River by the Espírito-Santense Sanitation Company (Cesan) has harmed the local fauna, flora, and aquatic life, negatively impacting fishing and related activities. Additionally, pollution has affected water quality and the health of local artisanal professionals. According to a 2017 investigation by the Cesan Municipal Chamber of Anchieta, the sewage released at the site is untreated. The CPI report highlights several irregularities, including non-compliance with regulations and acknowledgment by the company that sewage treatment levels do not meet mandatory standards. Furthermore, Cesan conducted interventions in the area without environmental permits.

Even after all the irregularities were identified, the Municipal Government of Anchieta renewed the contract with Cesan, which continues to discharge raw sewage into the Benevente River. Recently, João Simas, president of the Community Association of Bairro Benevente, has organized public hearings with traditional families, artisanal fishermen, shellfish gatherers, crab pickers, and boat owners. These hearings have reported significant environmental impact, including the disappearance of crustaceans, shellfish, and other marine species, with the intention of compelling Cesan to implement measures to address these issues. Furthermore, these events have directly affected the family culture passed down from generation to generation due to the decline in fish, crabs, and the death of local mollusks

Associations have been working to address this issue, promoting awareness-raising actions and pressuring authorities to take effective measures to solve the problem. Public hearings, demonstrations, and campaigns have been carried out with the aim of drawing attention to the situation and seeking sustainable solutions for the preservation of Porto do Mandoca and its natural resources.