Marcos Fantini

Marcos Fantini is an environmental and human rights lawyer in the Serra da Chapadinha region of Chapada Diamantina, Bahia. He works to protect biodiversity and water security for more than 60 municipalities in the semi-arid region of Bahia, including 60% of the Salvador metropolitan area—which includes the capital—all of which are supplied by the Paraguaçu River, whose main tributary, the Una River, originates in the Serra da Chapadinha.

Marcos has filed numerous complaints with public agencies regarding pressure from the mining sector to engage in real estate speculation and irregular land acquisitions in the Serra da Chapadinha. He has also been advocating for the legal recognition of the Serra da Chapadinha as a strictly protected conservation area.

At their mountain retreat, Toca do Lobo, Marcos and his wife Alcione launched a citizen science initiative that has paved the way for countless research projects. For their work promoting environmental education, conservation, and research, they received recognition and the title of “Posto Avançado da Reserva da Biosfera da Mata Atlântica” (Outpost of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve), affiliated with UNESCO.

However, Marcos Fantini and Alcione Figueiredo have faced threats and pressure from mining and real estate companies seeking to illegally appropriate land in the Serra Chapadinha and exploit its natural resources.

“We have overcome our fear of death through our faith in the cause and our ideals, and we are even stronger and more convinced of our mission here”